Haryana private hospitals threaten to withdraw Ayushman Bharat services over pending dues
Gurgaon: Starting February 3, around 600 private hospitals across Haryana are set to halt services under the Ayushman Bharat scheme due to pending reimbursements amounting to ₹400 crore. The Indian Medical Association's (IMA) Haryana unit announced this decision, citing financial strain caused by delayed payments from the state government.
Out of the 1,300 hospitals empaneled under the scheme in Haryana, 600 are private facilities, serving approximately 1.2 crore beneficiaries registered under the program. Ayushman Bharat, launched in 2018, provides free healthcare coverage up to ₹5 lakh annually for families with lower incomes and other eligible groups.
Doctors expressed their inability to sustain operations without timely reimbursements. “The speed of reimbursements is sluggish, and new bills keep piling up. It’s impossible to run hospitals like this,” said a Gurgaon-based doctor.
Dr. Mahavir Jain, president of IMA Haryana, highlighted that hospitals have only received 10-15% of their billed amounts, with months of payments still pending. “These bills are already discounted. Hospitals cannot survive without receiving even the bare minimum,” he said.
IMA officials revealed that despite discussions with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini earlier this month, where he ordered immediate release of funds, hospitals received only partial and insufficient payments.
Meanwhile, Ankita Adhikari, joint CEO of Ayushman Bharat Haryana, expressed optimism that the issue would be resolved within a week, avoiding disruption of services. However, private hospitals, including those in Gurgaon, are preparing to suspend services until the dues are cleared.
Dr. Jyoti Yadav of Kamla Hospital in Gurgaon confirmed their decision to support the IMA. “We see one to two patients daily under Ayushman Bharat and conduct eye surgeries. These services will stop if the issue persists,” she said.
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Vijay says no to CM convoy until swearing-in: TVK
Chennai (PTI): TVK chief Vijay declined to accept the police convoy vehicles provided to Tamil Nadu chief minister as per protocol until his swearing-in, the party said on Thursday.
A police official confirmed that the CM convoy vehicles provided to him "as per protocol" following the announcement of the Assembly election results were returned and have not been withdrawn.
The official also said that arrangements were in place for the swearing-in ceremony.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) clarified that its party founder Vijay had "personally requested that the convoy vehicles be returned". In a statement here, the TVK said: "Vijay conveyed that he would accept the official chief minister-level security only after forming the government with a decisive mandate".
Four convoy vehicles assigned to Vijay on May 4 after his TVK secured 108 seats in the Assembly polls returned from his residence following his request.
Even on May 6, the police had deployed security near his Panaiyur residence and in front of the Lok Bhavan here when Vijay called on Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to stake his claim to form the government. Vijay did not use the government vehicle to meet the Governor.
