Facing a financial crisis, the private hospitals in the State capital have expressed their inability to admit patients under the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat free treatment scheme over the non-payment of dues by the State Government.

For the unversed, the beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme can avail cashless treatment at private hospitals and the State Government clears the dues. But the private hospitals in the State have alleged that the State Government has not cleared the pending dues, compelling them to resort to such strict measures. From April 15, there may be a problem in providing treatment to the poor people under the Ayushman scheme in Madhya Pradesh. Treatment of such people in private hospitals will be stopped.

Operators and doctors of private hospitals have given this warning. These operators of private hospitals, who are providing treatment under Ayushman Yojana, have announced not to treat Ayushman patients from April 15 if they do not get the money. Dr Zeeshan Ahmed, President of United Private Hospitals Directors Association, informed that payment has not been made for the last eight months due to which many hospitals are on the verge of closure. The cases of many patients have been cancelled by the officials of Ayushman Bharat Yojana saying that they have not been treated as per the conditions. In such a situation, the financial burden has come on the private hospitals. He further told that many times discussions were held with Aditi Garg, State CEO of Ayushman Bharat Yojana, and have kept forward their demands regarding the payment. If the payment of last financial year is not made till April 15, then all private hospitals will not give treatment under Ayushman scheme.

The Government owes about Rs 1,000 crore to the Ayushman Fund. Due to non-availability of funds, the financial condition of many hospital operators has deteriorated. Three demands of the organisation: Payment of the last eight months should be made soon. Qualified and skilled people should be seated at the Government-level. In future, treatment dues under the scheme should be settled within 30 to 45 days.