The first day of the Ninth Session of 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly in progress at NLA Hall, Kohima on September 1. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima, September 1 (MExN): Empanelled hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) are not permitted to levy charges beyond prescribed treatment packages without following due procedure, Health & Family Welfare Minister P Paiwang Konyak told the Assembly.
This was among several issues concerning healthcare coverage, highway expansion, staff deployment and shortage of Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) taken up during the first day of the ninth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on September 1.
Responding to a supplementary question from MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu, Paiwang said all treatments and surgeries covered under the two schemes have prescribed packages and protocols which empanelled hospitals are required to follow.
Beneficiaries who suspect that a hospital has levied additional or unauthorised charges can lodge complaints, either in writing or verbally, with the concerned authorities, including the Nagaland State Health Protection Society (NSHPS).
Complaints are investigated and appropriate action taken against hospitals found violating the prescribed norms, he added.
The Minister disclosed that six hospitals under AB-PMJAY and six hospitals under CMHIS had so far been found involved in such cases. Hospitals failing to comply with the prescribed norms could face action, including withholding or affecting reimbursement, under the applicable provisions.
On the scope of AB-PMJAY, Paiwang said the scheme provides cashless coverage for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation, covering approximately 1,970 treatment procedures across 25 specialties. It also covers specified day-care treatments, including dialysis, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and minor surgeries. The National Health Authority also provides unspecified surgical packages for eligible procedures not specifically included in the listed interventions, subject to prescribed criteria and approval.
Nienu, who raised the issue, appreciated the implementation of CMHIS, saying it had provided much-needed financial relief to families facing serious illnesses.
He suggested strengthening awareness and enrolment, establishing a responsive grievance redressal mechanism, improving fraud prevention, empanelling more hospitals and enhancing internet connectivity for online implementation.
He also suggested graded employee contributions to CMHIS based on salary categories instead of a uniform contribution rate.
NH-2 expansion awaits clearance
The status of expansion works along NH-2 near Doyang Bridge and Chukitong Town was also raised in the Assembly.
Responding to a starred question from MLA Nuklutoshi, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in charge of PWD (National Highways) TR Zeliang said Right of Way (RoW) clearance from the competent authority is yet to be received for the 103/00 to 105/00 km stretch near Doyang Bridge.
For the 88/400 km stretch at Chukitong Town, Zeliang said the portion has been descoped due to non-availability of land. Nuklutoshi appealed to tribal leaders and Hohos to resolve the land issues by providing NOCs so that the incomplete project could be completed.
Phek-Meluri MTS redeployment
The proposed redeployment, transfer and posting of MTS staff from Phek to Meluri also came up during the session.
Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Yanthungo Patton said the Home Department is examining the proposal, which was received from the Commissioner, Nagaland, following a joint meeting of the Deputy Commissioners of Phek and Meluri at the Commissioner’s Office.
Patton clarified that no final order has been issued so far, as the proposal remains under examination.
Tobu without SDO
The shortage of SDOs has left the PHED unable to post an SDO at Tobu, Minister for PHED & Cooperation Jacob Zhimomi told the Assembly.
Responding to a starred question from MLA A Nyamnyei Konyak, Zhimomi said the department has 46 SDOs against a sanctioned strength of 51, resulting in an acute shortage of officers in the rank.
At present, the Executive Engineer, Mon Division, PHED, is holding additional charge of the Tobu Sub-Division.
Zhimomi assured the House that an SDO would be posted at Tobu at the earliest after completion of the training/attachment of newly appointed SDOs, State DIPR reported.
