IMA Haryana calls off 19-day protest over pending dues, resumes Ayushman Bharat Services

Chandigarh: Protesting for almost three weeks, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Haryana has ultimately ended its strike and announced the immediate resumption of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) services across the state after receiving assurance from the state government.

The strike, which began on August 7, saw more than 650 private hospitals suspending treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Doctors had been protesting against unpaid dues of over Rs 400 crore, arbitrary deductions, and operational issues that made it difficult for hospitals to run services.

Medical Dialogues had reported that the Haryana chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) announced that it will stop providing medical services to Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries across the state starting August 7, following a deadlock in talks with senior state officials over delayed payments. Amidst rising concerns over payment delays, the Haryana State Health Agency (SHA) appealed to empanelled hospitals and stakeholders not to go ahead with their planned suspension of services under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).

Also read- Despite partial payments, Haryana Private hospitals to withdraw Ayushman Bharat services

Around 19 days later, the association announced that Ayushman Bharat services would restart from 12 am on August 26. The decision is expected to benefit nearly 1.5 crore patients in Haryana who rely on the scheme for affordable treatment.

In a four-hour-long meeting held at the state secretariat in Chandigarh, the government assured the IMA that all pending claims would be cleared within 30 days. A written assurance is expected soon.

Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Sudhir Rajpal, and Ayushman Bharat CEO Sangeeta represented the government, while the IMA delegation included state president Dr Ajay Mahajan, Dr Mahavir Jain, and Dr Dhirender K Soni.

Commenting on this, Dr Mahaveer P Jain, president of IMA Haryana, told TOI, "Around 650 private empanelled hospitals in the state will resume Ayushman Bharat services from 12 am on Aug 26."

Currently, the scheme has a budget of Rs 700 crore, while the IMA has demanded at least Rs 2,000 crore for smooth functioning. Officials said an additional budget will be presented in the Assembly.

The state government agreed to several action points which include a streamlined mechanism for timely payments in future, requests for package rate revision, CAPF payments, and a “green channel” for faster clearances will be taken up with the Centre, interest on delayed payments to be examined in consultation with the finance department, over 400 corrected cases and NABH incentive applications to be reviewed on priority, a hospital helpline and district-level training sessions to be continued for smoother claim filing.

"Deputy commissioners across districts have been directed to handle grievance cases more vigilantly and hold meetings regularly. Show-cause or suspension notices issued solely for the non-entertainment of patients during the strike period from Aug 7 to Aug 25 will be withdrawn once the suspension is formally called off. The State Anti-Fraud Unit (SAFU) will expedite pending case reviews and share details of fraudulent activities with hospitals before any de-empanelment action," said an official.

Speaking to India Today, Dr Dhirender K Soni said, “The government has accepted all our demands. The strike is being withdrawn based on these assurances.” IMA Haryana President Dr Ajay Mahajan and Dr Mahavir Jain said, “We’ve been assured that funds will be released immediately, and pending dues will be cleared within a month. The government is also issuing a written confirmation. The meeting was conclusive and positive, there’s trust, and we see no reason to continue the strike.”

Also read- IMA Haryana warns 600 private hospitals to exit Ayushman Bharat over pending dues