DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 15 (MExN): The Nagaland Private Doctors Association (NPDA) announced on Saturday that it has decided to withhold the suspension of its services and continue providing Ayushman PM-JAY and Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) services.
This decision was arrived at following a meeting held on February 13 with the Nagaland Health Protection Society (NHPS) and representatives from the Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees' Association (CANSSEA).
During the discussions, NHPS assured NPDA that all outstanding payments owed to private hospitals under the health insurance schemes would be cleared within two weeks. “Prioritizing public welfare, the NPDA has decided to continue providing Ayushman PM-JAY/CMHIS services and will not suspend them at this time,” a press release from NPDA president Dr Lima Imchen and general secretary Dr Mhasiseno T. Belho stated.
However, the NPDA made it clear that if the payments are not made within the promised timeframe, the association will be forced to pursue legal action to secure the necessary funds.
The NPDA expressed concern over the severe financial strain private hospitals have been experiencing due to the delayed payments from Future Generali Insurance (FGI), the insurance provider for the schemes.
Hospitals have been struggling to allocate resources for essential medical supplies, including emergency medications, chemotherapy agents, laboratory reagents, dialyzers, and surgical consumables. Moreover, many facilities are facing challenges in maintaining critical services such as the CCU, ICU, NICU, as well as ensuring the availability of staff salaries, and uninterrupted electricity and water supply.
The association has urged the concerned authorities to honor their commitments promptly to avoid any potential crisis in healthcare delivery across the state.
The Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, on Febuary 14, had also asked the NPDA to continue providing all facilities to eligible beneficiaries under AB-PMJAY and Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) as an interim in the interest of public so that health care system in the State remains uninterrupted.
