Doctors’ body urges Sukhu to release HIMCARE dues

Dr Naresh Vermani, president of Kangra District Private Hospital Doctors Association, urged CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to immediately release pending payments under the Ayushman Bharat and HIMCARE schemes.

Dr Vermani criticised the government for delaying payments to private hospitals for over 15 months, calling it an illegal withholding of funds. “There are over Rs 356-crore pending liabilities towards private hospitals in the state pertaining to HIMCARE and Ayushman Bharat,” he said.

He highlighted that small and medium-sized hospitals were on the brink of collapse. Many have been forced to take loans to pay salaries and meet other financial obligations. Despite repeated assurances, the government had failed to make payments to private hospitals in the past one year.

He refuted allegations of inflated billing, stating that despite repeated government claims, no evidence had been provided. “If fraud was suspected, why was the HIMCARE scheme continued until August 31 last year? Why wasn’t it discontinued in 2023?” he questioned, asserting that denying hospitals their rightful dues was unacceptable.

Dr Vermani reminded the government of the private healthcare sector’s vital contribution during the Covid-19 pandemic, when ensuring uninterrupted medical services, whereas most of the government hospitals were virtually closed.