Maval MP raises issue of denial of Ayushman Bharat benefits by hospitals with Nadda
Pune: Shiv Sena MP from Maval
Shrirang Barne
has raised the issue of hospitals denying treatment under the Centre's Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) with Union health minister
J P Nadda
.
During his visit to Delhi on Wednesday, Barne met Nadda and submitted complaints received from citizens who were allegedly refused treatment despite being eligible under the centrally-sponsored health assurance scheme.
He informed the minister that although 148 hospitals in Pune district were currently empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, several of them have been turning away patients, undermining the core objective of the scheme launched in 2018. Though the issue had been raised multiple times with the local authorities, the MP decided to take it up directly with the Union health minister as the problem persisted across several regions.
The MP said that Nadda took immediate cognizance of the matter and directed his secretary to look into the complaints and take suitable action. "The minister has also assured that strict action will be taken against hospitals denying treatment to eligible patients under the scheme," Barne added.
The objective of the scheme is to provide quality and free healthcare services to poor and needy citizens. Last year, the govt also approved inclusion of all senior citizens above the age of 70 under the scheme. The scheme provides health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation, benefiting many from economically weaker citizens across the country.
Barne said that denial of treatment not only violated the directives of the central govt but also infringed upon the health rights of senior citizens. As a result, many elderly people in Pune district were unable to access timely and adequate medical care, putting their lives at risk.
"Strict legal action should be taken against hospitals not implementing the scheme. Immediate instructions must be issued to all empanelled hospitals in Pune district to mandatorily implement the scheme. Additionally, a monitoring mechanism should be established to ensure that senior citizens receive treatment under this scheme in a smooth and hassle-free manner," he said.
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