PHANA welcomes govt initiative for universal health coverage in Pb
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It said this step can truly be a game changer for residents of the state as well as hospitals and nursing homes.
"Earlier hospitals would face serious challenges due to delayed payments and other operational hurdles. However, since the proactive involvement of principal health secretary Kumar Rahul, many long-standing issues were resolved, and the scheme is now moving steadily towards improvement," said PHANA president Dr Vikas Chhabra and its state honorary secretary Dr Divyanshu Gupta.
PHANA Punjab stated that it and the IMA Ayushman core committee have been holding regular meetings with the principal health secretary and the CEO of the state health agency. As a result, many of our pending payments were cleared, and the overall implementation process has gained momentum, it added.
"We have submitted a few key demands to the govt to ensure the smooth and viable execution of the scheme. The govt has positively assured us that the interests of all stakeholders will be protected while drafting the MoU," it said.
PHANA also mentioned that one major step forward is the assurance to implement HBP 2.2 rates, which are the latest package rates. "These rates are more practical and viable for small hospitals and nursing homes and will help make the scheme sustainable for them," it said.
PHANA further stated that another crucial aspect is the guarantee of timely payments, and the govt has assured it that this issue will also be addressed to ensure smooth cash flow and uninterrupted services to patients.
"Small hospitals and nursing homes stand committed to working hand in hand with the govt for the successful rollout of this universal health scheme, provided the stakeholders' interests are safeguarded," PHANA said.
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