Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jun 23 :
Thousands of dialysis and cancer patients across Jammu and Kashmir are facing growing anxiety over the possible de-empanelment of private hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat-SEHAT Scheme from July 1, a move that could severely impact access to critical healthcare services for some of the region’s most vulnerable patients.
The concern comes in the wake of the Jammu and Kashmir Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association’s announcement that member institutions may withdraw from the scheme, citing prolonged non-payment of dues by the State Health Agency (SHA).
For patients undergoing regular dialysis and chemotherapy, the development has sparked fears of treatment interruptions, financial hardship, and serious health consequences. Many of these patients have been receiving cashless treatment at empanelled private hospitals for years under the Ayushman Bharat-SEHAT scheme and say they have no viable alternative if the services are discontinued.
Patients and their attendants told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that government hospitals are already under significant pressure, with limited dialysis facilities, oncology infrastructure, and specialist care capacity. They fear that any sudden withdrawal of private healthcare providers from the scheme could overwhelm public hospitals and leave thousands struggling to secure timely treatment.
Medical experts note that dialysis patients require uninterrupted treatment multiple times a week, while cancer patients often follow strict chemotherapy schedules. Any disruption in these treatment cycles can adversely affect patient outcomes and, in some cases, pose a serious risk to life.
Families with such patients have urged the government to ensure that life-saving healthcare services continue without interruption and that patient welfare remains the top priority. They have called for the immediate resolution of pending payment issues between the authorities and private healthcare providers to prevent a healthcare crisis.
Many patients describe the Ayushman Bharat-SEHAT scheme as a lifeline that has enabled them to access costly treatments without facing devastating financial burdens. They say that discontinuation of cashless services in private hospitals would force many families to either incur huge expenses or forgo essential treatment altogether.
The patients have appealed to the government to intervene urgently and ensure that dialysis and chemotherapy services remain available under the scheme. They have sought a patient-centric transition mechanism, if required, so that no individual undergoing treatment is left without care midway through their medical course.
With the July 1 deadline approaching, patients and their families hope that an amicable solution will be reached to safeguard uninterrupted healthcare access and prevent unnecessary suffering for those battling chronic kidney disease and cancer—(KNO)