Health is an aspect of one’s life that should never beignored but, the state government seems to have shut its eyes to the same.
Ayushman Bharat scheme was made for the welfare of thepeople but they are not availing its benefit as the Scheme in Punjab has goneon hold since 29 December 2021.
This Scheme was started by the Central Government on 23September 2018 to provide aid to the economically weaker section of the societybut in Punjab, it has proved to be a scheme that is causing them a lot oftrouble.
Till December 29, there was a dispute going on between theprevious government and the insurance company which used to claim the treatmentunder this scheme. Later, the State Health Department started looking for a newInsurance company after which the company refused to give claims to any hospitals.
On the 28th of January, the Insurance Company sent an emailto IMA Punjab and all the private hospitals that no money under the scheme willbe claimed by them. After this, all the hospitals concluded that they will notbe admitting any more patients under the scheme while the old patients weredischarged for the same reason.
The newly formed government has also shown zero interest inthis issue and is not taking any steps to solve this so that the common peoplecan avail the facility again.
True Scoop team spoke to some stakeholders on this and hereis what they have to say:
Hospital Association President, Dr. Rakesh Vig informed usthat approximately ₹300 crores is the amount that has to be paid by the Stategovernment to the hospitals as outstanding dues. State Government isresponsible for it as they have received funds for the scheme from the Centralgovernment but is not passing it to the hospitals, he added further.
Dr. Shubhang Aggarwal of NHS Hospital said, “It was a greatinitiative by the Central Government but the newly formed government is showingno interest in it due to which this scheme might not start again.”
Rajesh Bagga, General Secretory Punjab added, “StateGovernment does not want to implement the schemes of Central Government that iswhy they are not taking any steps to find a problem to this solution.”
“It is a serious issue of our state and should be broughtunder the limelight. I will take this matter to the Health Minister of thecountry and will make sure that necessary steps are taken”, said Iqbal Singh,Chairman of the Minority Commission.
The main sufferers of this issue had to say this on theissue. Malkit Singh resident of Deep Nagar revealed that the hospital asked himto pay his previous dues for which he was getting treatment as the insurancecompany denied accepting the claims.
Ms. Shivani, a resident of Urban Estate said, “I wasadmitted to a private hospital under this scheme but as soon as the insurancecompany refused to claim the amount, they told me to either pay the money forthe treatment or leave the hospital.”
The government should ponder upon this and find a way outbecause there is no other alternative for the economically weaker section otherthan relying on such schemes to avail adequate healthcare facilities.