Continued from P1

Stating that payments for Aarogyasri-related bills had been pending for 14 months for many of the network hospitals, Dr Rakesh said that some hospitals were facing a severe financial burden due to outstanding dues that have remained unpaid.

On EHS, Dr Rakesh said that the government has brought the scheme like putting ‘old wine in a new bottle’. He said that none of the network hospitals found any document relating to their empanelment in the new EHS. “When a policy is made through PPP made, the stakeholders should be the beneficiary as well as the service provider. If the network hospitals are not taken, it will become another Aarogyasri. It will be good if the government calls us for discussion,” said Dr Rakesh.

The TANHA president said that the network hospitals cannot be provided CGHS rates. The government cannot equate private hospitals with Gandhi or any other trust hospitals where the expenditure for basic infrastructure, salaries and maintenance is taken care of by the government. None of the private hospitals have any of these benefits, he said, adding, appropriate scientific method was also not followed in determining treatment prices.

The association has expressed its concern that under these circumstances, it was becoming financially difficult for hospitals to maintain continuous medical services, and if the arrears were not settled quickly, there was a possibility of facing challenges in continuing certain services under Aarogyasri and EHS in the future. “The government is trying to control the private hospitals as bonded labour. We are professionals, who are running the hospitals despite difficulties. What extra benefit the government is doing to us? Providing any subsidy?” Dr Rakesh asked.