logo
Private hospitals demand higher package rates under AB PM-JAY, GJAY

Private hospitals demand higher package rates under AB PM-JAY, GJAY

BHUBANESWAR
: The All Odisha Private Medical Establishment Forum (AOPMEF) has expressed serious concerns over the technical glitches, impractical pricing structures and operational hurdles that threaten the viability of private healthcare services after implementation of Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY and Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) scheme in the state.
In a detailed representation to Health minister Mukesh Mahaling, the AOPMEF flagged issues including package pricing, operational challenges and software or IT-related difficulties, seeking his intervention to resolve them.
The forum has demanded a minimum of 30 pc increase in package rates over the previous scheme BSKY, stating that the current pricing fails to account for inflation and is financially unsustainable.
The private establishments pointed out that high-cost procedures like cardiotocography (CTG) for lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) have been capped under low-value package (Rs 15,000), making it unfeasible which will compromise service quality.
AOPMEF secretary Dr Indramani Jena urged for a revision in implant pricing and a return to editable options. Currently, implant packages like pacemakers are capped at Rs 75,000, and spine implants at Rs 10,000, which he claimed are unsustainable. 'Such rigid pricing structures would directly impact the quality of treatment, especially in critical surgeries. Advanced diagnostics like CT, MRI, PFT, NCV, EMG and FeNO, which are missing, must be included,' he said.
Operationally, the hospitals reported disruptive changes in workflow due to round-the-clock Aadhaar-based OTP authentication by medical superintendents, which is completely impractical.
The forum suggested delegating certain responsibilities to medical coordinators (Medcos) to improve efficiency.
The private hospitals sought relaxation of new discharge requirements including the mandatory submission of medical slips and photographs with patients - practices they said are logistically difficult and administratively taxing. 'Software-related issues further compound the challenges.
Lack of realtime card verification, balance-check features, and extremely slow software during peak hours compound the problems. Documents often disappear within seconds post-upload, causing repeated work and potential errors,' said forum president Dr Subrat Jena.
Another major concern remains the centralised management of the scheme. AOPMEF argued that since healthcare is a state subject, local officials should be empowered to resolve operational and payment-related issues instead of relying solely on directives from central authorities.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

3 years, 2 promises, and still no progress: Panchkula's healthcare projects in limbo
3 years, 2 promises, and still no progress: Panchkula's healthcare projects in limbo

Time of India

time38 minutes ago

  • Time of India

3 years, 2 promises, and still no progress: Panchkula's healthcare projects in limbo

1 2 3 Panchkula: In April 2022, then Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar stood before the public with a promise: two major healthcare projects would soon transform the medical landscape of Panchkula district. Fast forward to 2025, and those promises remain unfulfilled, leaving residents frustrated and underserved. The first project aimed to relocate the aging and overcrowded Kalka civil hospital to Tipra village. The second was the construction of a 25-bedded primary health centre (PHC) in Raytan village. But three years later, one project is tangled in bureaucratic red tape, while the other has been deemed unfeasible due to geographical challenges. Kalka Hospital: A promise stuck in paperwork The Kalka civil hospital, built in 1975, is bursting at the seams. Patients often wait in cramped corridors, and medical staff struggle to provide care in a space that has long outlived its capacity. The proposed relocation to Tipra village was supposed to change that. Ten acres of land were identified by the municipal council in Pinjore, and a request was sent to expedite the transfer to the health department. An estimated budget of Rs 18.23 crore was forwarded to the director general of health services. But since Feb 2025, the proposal has stalled at the government level. No further action has been taken. Meanwhile, the hospital continues to operate in its outdated facility, and patients — especially those from economically weaker sections — are forced to travel to Panchkula or Chandigarh for treatment, often at great financial and physical cost. Raytan PHC: A stream of problems The second project, a PHC in Raytan, has faced a different kind of obstacle — nature itself. Of the three sites inspected, one in Chiken village was initially considered feasible. But during a site visit in April 2025, officials discovered a seasonal stream (choe) running through the middle of the land. The presence of a hume pipe culvert and the risk of heavy water flow during monsoons rendered the site unsuitable for construction. Despite having two other sites to consider, no alternative has been finalized in three years. Residents argue that this delay reflects a lack of urgency and accountability. Public outcry and political pressure Vijay Bansal, president of Shivalik Vikas Manch and the RTI applicant who unearthed these details, didn't mince words. "Due to weak and ineffective political leadership in Kalka and the negligence of officials, a health centre has not been constructed for the semi-hilly regions like Kalka, Pinjore, and Morni," he said. A senior Congress leader has also stepped in, writing to current CM Nayab Singh Saini, urging swift action on the pending projects. The letter highlights the dire consequences of delayed healthcare infrastructure — residents suffering from life-threatening conditions without access to proper treatment.

3.45 lakh health cards issued under central schemes: Delhi minister
3.45 lakh health cards issued under central schemes: Delhi minister

The Print

time2 hours ago

  • The Print

3.45 lakh health cards issued under central schemes: Delhi minister

As per data, 1,24,215 cards were issued by self-registrations, 11,284 by BIS operators, and 42,176 through Common Service Centres (CSCs), it said. Of these, 1,66,841 cards have been distributed exclusively under the Vay Vandana Yojana (VVY) — ”an initiative aimed at ensuring dignified and secure aging for Delhi's senior citizens, an official statement said. New Delhi, Jun 11 (PTI) Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh on Wednesday said over 3.45 lakh health cards have been issued under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana till date. 'The prompt issuance of over 3.45 lakh cards is a testament to the Delhi government's efficient implementation and the people's trust in our healthcare initiatives. We are committed to upholding the dignity and well-being of every senior citizen in the capital,' Singh said. As part of the government's expanded healthcare infrastructure, 85 hospitals have been empanelled under the schemes — 60 private and 25 government-run facilities, allowing beneficiaries to access quality care across both sectors. These cards offer up to Rs 10 lakh in cashless hospitalisation benefits, not just within Delhi but also across empanelled hospitals nationwide. The construction of 1,139 Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs across Delhi is in full swing. The plan is to equip each of Delhi's 70 assembly constituencies with Aarogya Mandirs, bringing healthcare closer to the people. 'This very month, over 30 new Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs will be dedicated to the people of Delhi,' he added. Every Delhi resident above 70 years, possessing an Aadhaar card, is eligible for registration under Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana. PTI SLB SKY SKY This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

Govt imposes maintenance fee on donors of medical equipment
Govt imposes maintenance fee on donors of medical equipment

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

Govt imposes maintenance fee on donors of medical equipment

Jaipur: Rajasthan govt has decided to impose maintenance costs on individuals or groups who donate medical equipment, ambulances, or machines to state-run hospitals and health facilities. The move, ostensibly to ensure that donated items are utilised properly, also points to the inadequacies in the state's health infrastructure, which the health department appears to be making an effort to fix. As per the latest govt order, state-run hospitals and health facilities will receive donations of equipment, ambulances, and medical devices through a dedicated Donation Acceptance Committee (DAC) to ensure uninterrupted functionality. "This new system aims to prevent donated equipment from remaining idle," said Gayatri Rathore, principal secretary (health). She said these committees should only accept donations if the facility has the necessary infrastructure and staff to operate them. Rathore added that sometimes diagnostic machines are donated to hospitals where specific tests are not covered under free diagnostic schemes, rendering the equipment useless. To prevent this, health department will impose maintenance charges on donors. For example, donors of ambulances will be required to pay for their upkeep to ensure functionality. If a donor is providing machines, equipment, or devices, they will need to pay for consumable items required for the functionality of the machine for five years. Health department will establish DACs in hospitals to oversee and approve donations of medical equipment, ambulances, and machines. "For ambulance donations, donors must provide funding for a five-year period to cover operational costs, including driver wages, fuel expenses, and maintenance requirements," Rathore said. This initiative addresses the issue of donated items remaining unused due to health department's limited resources to make them operational. Previously, donated equipment at hospitals which lacked resources to operate them remained idle for years. For instance, nearly half of the 140 oxygen plants built at a cost of Rs 2 crore each by donors, are lying defunct in Rajasthan. Now, committees will assess the usefulness of donated items and authorise donations accordingly. Before a hospital accepts a donation, it must ensure availability of doctors or technical staff to operate the equipment.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store