J&K’s private hospitals to suspend services from today

Srinagar, Mar 14: J&K Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centers Association on Friday announced to suspend services under AB-PMJAY from Saturday following State Health Agency J&K’s decision to reserve four surgical procedures exclusively for public hospitals and other policy changes.
A spokesman of J&K Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centers Association said Jammu and Kashmir State Health Agency’s decision to reduce package rates for procedures by 10 per cent has put private hospitals in a difficult spot.
“This move not only makes it challenging for us to continue providing services but also goes against Prime Minister’s vision of universal health insurance, which aims to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage to all residents of J&K,” the association said.
He said as a result, private hospitals are being forced to stop providing services under Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT Scheme from March 15, 2025 to the public, which will undoubtedly affect the community till the Govt. doesn’t reconsider its decision.
“To make matters worse, four surgical procedures are now reserved exclusively for public hospitals, further restricting the services private hospitals can offer,” the association said.
“This decision, coupled with the reservation of four surgical procedures exclusively for public hospitals, undermines our ability to provide quality care to our patients.”
The private hospitals said despite their commitment to serve community, the reduced rates make it unsustainable for them to continue operations with SHA.
“The scheme is very beneficial for the public but unfortunately due to these decisions by SHA the quality of medical services will be compromised,” it stated.
The association demanded release of pending with the government adding though Chief Secretary had stated that all the previous payment will be paid by the end of Dec 2024 which has not been done.
The association said private hospitals in J&K employ about 10,000 youth and by this decision, they will be forced to relieve the employees, thus creating more unemployed youth.
“We urge the public to support private hospitals in their appeal to the government to reconsider this decision,” it said.