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.
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