Karam Prakash
Patiala, August 6
Beneficiaries of the Ayushman scheme are a harried lot. The state government has failed to clear Rs 29 crore pending medical dues of the scheme. Consequently, several private and government hospitals in the district have already stopped admitting patients under the Ayushman Bharat – Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana.
Neonatal care worst hit
The worst hit is the neonatal care due to closure of the scheme by private hospitals. This type of care is provided to premature or sick babies in a neonatal unit. Besides, patients suffering from kidney ailment, who require dialysis on a weekly basis, are also severely hit. — Sources
“The state government has yet to pay 18 crore of government and 11 crore of private hospitals,” the District Health Department revealed.
Hospitals have not received any reimbursement under the scheme since December, last year. And it is the poor patients, who are amongst the worst hit for months now.
Government Rajindra Hospital Patiala, one of the main health facilities, which caters to most beneficiaries, has a pending due of Rs 8 crore under the Ayushman scheme.
Sources informed that the worst hit is the neonatal care of newborns due to closure of the scheme by private hospitals. This type of care is provided to premature or sick babies in a neonatal unit. Besides, patients suffering from kidney ailment, who are required to undergo dialysis on weekly basis, are also severely hit, the sources added.
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