Odisha Govt affirms continuation of BSKY Scheme, Private Hospitals to continue treatment

Bhubaneswar:  Following concerns that some private hospitals allegedly denied treatment to the patients under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) scheme, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena assured the beneficiaries that the BSKY cardholders will continue to get free treatment under the scheme at the empanelled hospitals across the state.

Odisha Chief Secretary P K Jena said reports have appeared in a section of the newspapers and social media that the private hospitals are not honouring the BSKY card and discharging the patients stating that these cards are no more valid now.

According to a UNI report, Jena said BSKY Card holders are advised not to panic and remain in confusion about BSKY adding that the government has directed all empanelled hospitals to continue the treatment as before.

Moreover, the government has affirmed that all claims raised by hospitals will be duly paid by the State Health Assurance Society (SHAS), ensuring smooth service delivery.

Jena said the Hospitals are to ensure that patients do not face any difficulty or disruption in availing services, news agency UNI reported.

The BSKY card holder patients continue getting treatment in empanelled hospitals, the Chief Secretary said and asked the people to contact the helpline issued by the Health Department if they face any problem in the empanelled hospital assuring that the government will take strong action against the hospital for not honoring the BSKY card.

Official sources said as per available data, On June 4, empanelled hospitals booked treatment packages for more than 5800 patients.

Similarly, on June 5, treatment packages were booked for more than 5389 patients by empanelled hospitals.

The Chief Secretary said the MoUs on BSKY signed with empanelled hospitals remain in force.

He said the BSKY card will continue as long as the new government takes a decision on it.

The BSKY card was introduced by the previous BJD government headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Since the Naveen Patnaik government has already been dissolved after its defeat in the hustings, the reports on the social media and newspaper had appeared that the private hospitals in the state are not accepting the BSKY card and refusing the patients to admit in the hospital.

On Wednesday, BJP state President Manmohan Samal had also clarified on the BSKY card stating that the change of government is a continuous process, and using this as a pretext to deprive people of healthcare is a social and constitutional offense.

He urged private hospital authorities to desist from such actions and provide quality healthcare to the people.

Samal also asked the administration to keep a close watch on these false rumors.

The BJP president had announced that after the formation of the new BJP government in the state, the Ayushman Bharat scheme will be implemented replacing the BSKY.

The Chief Secretary clarified that the people will get the facilities in the BSKY till the process of the implementation of the new scheme is completed in the state.