Private hospitals on brink, clear dues in time-bound manner, doctors urge govt

Dr Naresh Vermani, president of the Kangra District Private Hospital Doctors Association, has welcomed Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s decision to probe irregularities in the HIM CARE scheme. Addressing the media, he said if the government has already initiated the inquiry, it must be completed in a time-bound manner so the truth can be placed before the public.

Dr Vermani criticised the state government for delaying the clearance of pending bills of private hospitals for the past one and a half years. He said despite the lapse of this period, the inquiry remains incomplete. While acknowledging that irregularities in a few hospitals should be investigated, he emphasised that the government must not penalise institutions that have worked ethically and followed state guidelines. He added that if wrongdoing had indeed been detected, the findings should have been shared publicly — but no evidence has been presented so far.

Highlighting the severity of the crisis, Dr Vermani said small and medium-sized hospitals in the state are on the verge of collapse. Many have taken loans to pay salaries and manage operational expenses due to prolonged non-payment. “There are over Rs 356 crore in pending liabilities towards private hospitals under the HIM CARE and Ayushman Bharat schemes,” he said.

He refuted allegations of inflated billing, noting that despite repeated government claims, no proof has been provided. “If fraud was suspected, why was the HIM CARE scheme continued until August 31, 2024? Why wasn’t it discontinued in 2023?” he questioned, calling the withholding of legitimate dues unjustified.

Dr Vermani also reminded the government of the crucial role played by the private healthcare sector during the Covid-19 pandemic, when it ensured uninterrupted services while most government hospitals remained virtually closed.