The Jammu and Kashmir Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association (JKPHDA) has put off its strike announcement for two weeks after receiving assurance from the Ayushman Bharat (ABPMJAY)/SEHAT scheme CEO to release long-overdue payments. Thousands of patients who depend on private health care facilities in the Union Territory are relieved of this situation.
This represents a considerable advance for Public Health Care, as all people who are at risk from the consequences of inadequate public health care have been offered acute intervention services such as routine dialysis, chemotherapy, and emergency surgery.
The statement by JKPHDA demonstrates a serious commitment to patient safety; it protects patients from disruptions in their essential care.
Healthcare providers contribute significantly to society by helping to save lives on a daily basis. However, they are also burdened with significant financial difficulties associated with delayed government reimbursement.
It takes significant financial resources to keep hospitals operational, purchase critical medications, and compensate the medical professionals providing services to patients who rely upon them for treatment. The authorities and JKPHDA have also been clear evidence through their efforts that they are committed to ensuring patient safety is their number one priority.
The two-week grace period allows the government an important opportunity to convert these commitments into practical, real-life results.
If hospitals receive full payment for their overdue bills and are paid on time from now on, then props to the JKPHDA for demonstrating compassion over confrontation, and also to the JK administration for recognising the need to support our healthcare system urgently.
Those systems must work together more effectively than they currently do in order for everyone to benefit from each other’s work, and we look forward to seeing these systems work well with one another moving forward — the complete closure of all outstanding payments will ensure all patients have continued access to care.
