IMA demands release of funds to Ayushman emplanned hospitals

IMA Haryana and Haryana Medical Council had a discussion on 12th October regarding HMC Renewal. The meeting was held under the able Chairmanship of ACS Dr G Anupama mam and co-chaired by DGHS Dr Sonia Trikha mam. During the meeting, the doctors demanded that renewal fees should be reduced and it should be at par with neighboring states. Detailed comparisons prepared by IMA Haryana were also submitted. Previously Medical Dialogues reported that IMA had asked the government to revoke the order that increased the late fee for license renewal to Rs 1000 for one month's delay.

The association also talked about other insiders that included initiating relaxation in credit hours for 65 yrs plus doctors and omitting late fees or keeping it nominal. The doctors also highlighted that all the documentation related to license renewal should be online. Moreover, the election of HMC Members must be held as early as possible, demanded the doctors.

Forming SOP for Prevention of violence

Taking the opportunity, the doctors also addressed a few more issues, for example, the formation of SOP for the Prevention of violence against doctors was again stressed, and ACS was requested to put forward recommendations for the same.

The State Chairman of IMA JDN Haryana, Dr. Karan Junega told Medical Dialogues, " It is pertinent to note here that the Haryana Medicare Service Person and Medicare Service Institutions (Preventing of Violence and Damage of Property) Act 2009 came into effect on 26th match 2019 but even after 8 years no rules or guidelines have been framed to the best of our knowledge.

Previously Indian Medical associations Haryana branch submitted a letter to the additional chief secretary, the government of Haryana urging him to issue necessary instructions to the officers of the police department to ensure that the provision of the above order should be followed in the letter and spirit.

However, the doctor stated that still better will be adopted a Standard Operating Procedure so that the police working in the field and affected doctors know what protocol is to be followed. This will ensure a quick and timely response and help in curving increasing instances of violence in hospitals, added the association.

IMA Haryana has submitted letters to the CEO, of National Health Mission, Haryana requesting him to ensure the release of funds to Ayushman empanelled hospitals at regular intervals. Dr Punita Hasija, President of IMA Haryana has also addressed this issue and stated, "while I am thankful for releasing few payments to Ayushman empanelled hospitals in Haryana, there has been a delay up to 6 months. No interest is being paid on late payment as per the clause of the MOU. There has been an excessive deduction up to the extent of 80% in payments being made even from pre-authorized amounts without any explanation to empanelled hospitals. This deduction at the time of payment is illogical and unacceptable. This results in the demoralization of the service providers. The project is the flagship program of the Government of India and state authorities should be sensitized about the deduction issues to the service providers in this time frame manner."

She further added, " Hospitals bear the direct cost of investigation, medication, diet and indirect costs like infrastructure, the salary of staff, utility bills for which they are charged at commercial rates. The delay and deduction in the payment results in a cash crunch for the small service providers. They depend upon the revenue to function and pay the salaries to the staff and for the payment of the medicine on time.