Finally, Jammu and Kashmir High Court has issued directions that will help hundreds and thousands of patients all over Jammu and Kashmir, who are getting treatment for different ailments under Golden Card. It is pertinent to mention here that One of the most people and poor friendly scheme launched by Modi-led government is Ayushman Bharat. This scheme has proved a game changer in health sector. Poor people would die because they couldn’t afford the treatment for their ailments. Under this scheme, one can avail benefits of free hospitalization cover of Rs. 5 laks per annum at any empanelled hospital across India under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, patients don’t need to deposit or pay any money for treatment at empanelled hospitals. This scheme has and is saving lives of people here. In Kashmir there are thousands of patients who suffer kidney ailments and need dialysis once or twice a week. These patients could not do so had this scheme not been launched.
However, while the scheme runs smoothly all over India, here in Jammu and Kashmir, of late, it has been facing some hiccups. Last November, IFFCO-TOKIO General Insurance Company, the insurer for Ayushman Bharat in J&K, informed the SHA authorities of their decision not to renew the contract after its expiry on March 14, 2025. Initially, the scheme was implemented through Bajaj Allianz GIC, whose contract ended in 2022. IFFCO-TOKIO was subsequently brought in but attempted to exit the scheme, citing financial losses. Despite SHA’s requests for them to continue in the interest of patient care, the company refused.
As the matter was lying in the court, the empanelled private hospitals of Jammu and Kashmir had threatened to halt their services under the Ayushman Bharat scheme starting September 1, 2024, due to non-receipt of funds since March this year. They allege that a prolonged legal battle between the government and the insurance company, IFFCO Tokio, has complicated the things and they would not be able to cater to Golden Card patients beyond August 31, 2024, until the payments are released, as their suppliers, who have supported them on credit until now, have categorically denied extending credit beyond this date.
However, to the relief of the distressed patients, the J&K High Court has intervened and directed IFFCO TOKIO general insurance company to continue with the existing arrangement as per the terms and conditions of the contract agreement regarding Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana-SEHAT (AB-PMJAY-SEHAT) pending resolution of dispute with the UT government by the arbitrator. The direction has been passed in a petition filed by the Government of J&K wherein it was submitted that the government launched Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana-SEHAT to provide free of cost Universal Health Coverage to all its residents, including the serving and retired employees and their families.
The HC has come to the rescue of the poor beneficiaries of the scheme who were protesting against the decision of private hospitals who had threatened to stop these services under the said scheme. While HC directions have come as a relief, the J&K government and concerned health authorities should not waste any more time in settling the issues with the insurance company or should look for some other alternatives so that the scheme runs smoothly.
