- Calls it " Statement in Frustration to hide Govt.`s failure to clear Bills and restart of PMJAY"
Nawanshahr: Reacting to recent statement of Health Minister Jormajra , IMA Punjab President Dr. Paramjit Singh Maan stated that Govt. can not hide its failure to provide quality health services to people of Punjab by threatening PMJAY empanelled hospitals to start process of depanelment because Govt. is bound to clear bills of hospitals with in stipulated time of 15 days ( TAT) after discharge of patient, Govt. has largely failed in it and backstabed not only empanelled hospitals but people of Punjab also.
It is further a matter of big joke when many of the leaders of Govt. equate " Mohalla Clinics " with PGI and pass foolish statements quoting that People of Punjab will get quality treatment like PGI at " Mohalla Clinics"
PMJAY scheme has proved to be big ray of hope for ailing poor and middle class people of the society, who otherwise could not afford going to quality private hospitals for their treatment further this scheme has decreased infant mortality rate, Increased life expectancy and also have improved many other health parameters by giving opportunity to general public to get themselves treated in private sector hospitals.
It's pertinent to mention here that there are many facilities which are not available in government sector like paediatrics, cardiology, oncology and urology etc and it`s empanelled hospitals related to these facilities who have suffered the most because of non payments of claims and these hospitals are not in position to render their services further.
Not only this private hospitals have been instrumental in eradicating small pox, Polio by being active participant in these government run drives, moreover till date facilities of neonatal care and proper obstetric care are not available in government sector but its facilities provided by private hospital which has brought down Infant Mortality rate (IMR) & Maternal Mortality rate (MMR) , these two are the main indicators to denote health system of any country, after cessation of work by private hospitals because of non payments, both IMR & MMR have started rising in Punjab, further facilities of Cardiology , Urology, oncology and super specialities are also being provided by private hospitals only .
There are about 500 private hospitals empanelled in Ayushmaan in Punjab, they have been working smoothly for last 3 years but hospitals have hardly received ( Only 10%) any of their claim payments after December 2021 even after several meetings of IMA official with health secretary and SHA officials. But govt has backstabbed doctors by not clearing dues of Rs.220 Crores of more than 500 Private hospitals , and earlier also the statement of Finance Minister saying Govt. is releasing claim amounts of PGI & Government hospitals only and not of private hospitals have reflected their intent of Step Motherly treatment with private hospitals.
IMA Punjab had almost 26 meetings with earlier health minister, health secretary, finance secretary & with current health minister in last 5 months. Every time we were given assurance of clearance within 15 days.
Lately when PGI Chandigarh also stopped taking patients specifically of Punjab. This was the highest insult to residents of Punjab as they were deprived of benefits of scheme .PGI was though accepting patients of Haryana and Himachal because These states are clearing dues in stipulated time. Because of such a big political hue & cry Govt. of Punjab cleared bills of PGI by 100% but only 10 % of private hospitals which was never sufficient to give strength to failing economic condition of private hospitals so None of the private hospitals in Punjab started work under PMJAY on the call given by IMA Punjab .
Dr. Paramjit Singh Maan, President IMA Punjab said that the empanelled hospitals have drained out of our resources and many are at the verge of bankruptcy as they don't have funds for salaries of staff, meeting out day to day expenses of hospitals and further more creditors who were supplying medicines and implants to hospitals have stopped giving them medicines and implants because of no clearance of their bills.
As the Punjab government has issued Ayushmaan cards to all ,the cash work of hospitals, which earlier was helpful in sustaining the expenses, have come down to 10% and now it's not possible for hospitals to work further under debt.
IMA Punjab private nursing home chapter had a meeting under Ayushman core Committee and decided to boycott "farishtay" or any other scheme to be launched by Govt. of Punjab, The members of Core Committee in unison said that private hospitals and doctors had fully cooperated with govt during Covid-19 pandemic.
Untill Govt. does not pay the 100 % claims of private hospitals ,none of private hospital will participate in any Government Scheme and Government health program as we have already lost faith in it .
Non participation of private hospitals will lead to defeat of core motive of the PMJAY scheme to provide quality health services to poorest of the society through private hospitals as private hospitals are back bone of health system of India and is serving 70% of population through it even if it is not provided with any of the facility in the form of any relaxation, subsidy or tax rebate.
This government has come to power by promising better health services to residents of Punjab but Instead of improving health care services, they are stopping these welfare scheme which was running successfully for last 3 years. Moreover many government doctors are resigning prematurely because of toxic environment created by this government and regular insults of doctors by MLA`s and their subordinate party workers.