Ayushman Bharat: Won’t offer services under scheme until dues paid, IMA tells state govt

A delegation of the Punjab Chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) met Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh and said until all their pending dues amounting to Rs 190 crore under Ayushman Bharat Scheme were paid, they would not offer services related to scheme to patients.

Punjab IMA president Dr Sunil Katyal and honorary secretary Dr Baljit S Johal said other than the backlog of Rs 190 crore, as many as 89,000 cases involving around Rs 200 crore were yet to be processed. They said the delay in the payment by the government had affected the financial health of the hospital and healthcare services being provided to patients.

The IMA has also demanded that the government must de-reserve all packages under the scheme wherein select packages had been given to only certain hospitals. They said it was leading to an uneven playing field. They have also urged the minister to not to allow backdated applications.