Manipur private hospitals to stop PMJAY services from August 16 over unpaid dues

India Today

3 days ago

Private hospitals in Manipur will stop providing free treatment under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) from August 16 unless the state government clears long-pending reimbursement claims. The Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI), Manipur Chapter announced the decision after a meeting on July 30, citing mounting financial and operational strain caused by delays in payment.In a joint statement, AHPI Manipur president Dr Palin Khundongbam and secretary Dr James Elangbam said that while private healthcare institutions have been supporting the state's health infrastructure despite repeated financial setbacks, continuing services without timely reimbursement has become 'increasingly unfeasible.'
advertisementDuring the suspension, treatments will be charged at standard rates, the association said, adding that any payments collected from eligible PMJAY beneficiaries will be refunded once dues are settled. The body expressed regret over the move, appealing for public understanding and urging the authorities to resolve the issue at the earliest.
The announcement has sparked alarm among patients dependent on PMJAY for life-saving procedures such as dialysis. On Friday, dozens of patients and family members gathered at the Manipur Press Club, Imphal, to highlight their plight and demand urgent government intervention.A diabetic patient from Ukhrul district, undergoing twice-weekly dialysis in Imphal for over a decade, said the suspension would be devastating. 'It will be hard for us. We request the government to take necessary steps,' he said.Laxmi, from Thoubal district, whose father has required dialysis since 2019, said daily wage-earning families cannot bear the cost, which averages Rs 4,000 per session. She noted that government hospital slots are limited, often with year-long waiting times. 'A patient may die if dialysis is not done for a week,' she warned.Athokpam Manglembi, wife of a dialysis patient at Shija Hospital, said private hospitals have already informed patients that free dialysis under PMJAY will end if the dues remain unpaid. She appealed to the Governor of Manipur and senior health officials to release the pending funds immediately, warning that the halt could 'put countless lives at risk.'Manipur currently has 25 hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY, including 17 public and eight private facilities. The scheme is implemented in the state by the State Health Agency, Manipur. - EndsMust Watch