J&K Private Hospitals Association condemns De-Empanelment of Shifa Hospital
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir
Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association (JKPHDCA) has strongly
opposed the State Health Agency’s (SHA) decision to remove Shifa Hospital from
the Ayushman Bharat scheme, calling it an unfair and punitive action.
Greater Kashmir reported
that according to the association, the move is an intentional step against the
hospital as it highlighted issues within the government-run health insurance
program. “This move appears to be a deliberate attempt to intimidate Shifa
Hospital and suppress its voice,” said a JKPHDCA spokesperson.
In a statement, JKPHDCA
emphasized that the decision is particularly unjust given that private
hospitals across the region are already on strike over contractual issues.
Healthcare providers are protesting against a 10 percent reduction in package
rates and the government’s restrictions on certain surgical procedures, which
have been limited to public hospitals.
The association has
warned that removing Shifa Hospital from the scheme could have dire
consequences for patients who rely on insurance coverage for essential medical
care. Many individuals may be left without access to critical healthcare
services, placing an additional burden on the already stretched public
healthcare system, reports the Daily.
The JKPHDCA is urging
authorities to reconsider the de-empanelment decision, initiate meaningful
discussions with Shifa Hospital, and take steps to resolve the broader
challenges affecting private healthcare providers under the Ayushman Bharat
scheme. highlighting the need of treating patients fairly, resolving contracts
in an equitable manner, and defending their rights, the association stated, “We
stand in solidarity with Shifa Hospital and the entire healthcare community.”
The association has been voicing
their disappointment over some recent health related government policies. A few
days ago Medical Dialogues reported that Jammu and Kashmir government announced
the exclusion of four common surgical procedures from being covered under
the Ayushman
Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) SEHAT scheme in
private hospitals. Following this, the Jammu and Kashmir Private Hospitals and
Dialysis Centers Association announced the suspension of services under the
scheme.