Govt fails to clear dues, private hospitals refuse to treat BPL patients
Bengaluru: "I came to know that the services have been suspended only at the reception today. I have come with my father for a second opinion on his heart surgery," says Kareem waiting with his father outside Agadi Hospital. His 58-year-old father has been advised a cardiothoracic surgery by another private hospital.
The situation remained the same across more than 400 private hospitals and nursing homes as the Federation of Healthcare Associations, a consortium of Registered Private Hospital Associations in Karnataka, refused to treat below poverty line patients under the three government schemes - Vajpayee Arogya Shree Scheme (VAS), Rajiv Arogya Bhagya Scheme (RAB) and Jyothi Sanjeevini Scheme (JSS) from Monday as the state government failed to clear the dues.
Health Minister Ramesh Kumar met a delegation from the Federation of Healthcare Associations (FHA) and agreed to mobilise Rs 65 crore to clear a major portion of the backlog in fifteen days. "The minister agreed to a few of our concerns and he promised to constitute a committee to look into not just the arrears, but also to create a sustainable payment model that would help both the government and private hospitals. We are waiting for his response in writing which would take a few days," said Dr Ajaikumar, a member of the advisory board. He, however, added that clearing of long-pending dues is not the answer, but what is needed is a prompt solution in tackling the abuse of the system. "Majority of the patients who walk in with BPL cards do not deserve to have such cards. We have been making noise about this for years now," he said.
The hospitals, however, did not stop two other schemes Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) and Mukhyamantri Santwana Harish Yojana for accident victims.
Dr Madan Gaekwad, executive vice-president of Sagar Hospitals, and president of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association, said that some 26% of the total population of the state is rightfully authorised to own a BPL card but more than 70% own it now. "There has been a major disconnect between the Health Ministry and the Food and Civil supplies Department. This issue needs to be addressed," he said.
Hospitals will maintain their stand until a written proposal comes from the government. "No emergency cases or children requiring treatment are being refused help. All fresh cases other than these are not being entertained," said Dr Gaekwad.
Minister promises action
At the meeting held with a few members of FHA, Health Minister K.R. Ramesh Kumar promised to speak to the finance secretary and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah about the clearing of dues in the next Cabinet meeting. He directed SAST Executive Director Ratan U. Kelkar to initiate a meeting with private players soon and discuss a proper sustainable model about it.
