Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) Saturday expressed concern over what it called the government’s “discriminatory” decision to slash costs of medical tests while excluding SKIMS from the policy.
Although the initiative is welcome, the exclusion of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura, which is the only institution providing PET scan facilities, is disturbing, JKCSF said.
“This exclusion undermines the very purpose of the policy, reducing it to a mere mockery,” a handout from JKCSF said.
It said ensuring affordable and quality healthcare is imperative, and all institutions—public and private—must be brought under the ambit of patient-friendly policies. This will not only ensure equitable access to essential diagnostic services but also alleviate the financial burden on the common populace, the handout read.
The forum said it hopes that the Omar-led government will address pressing issues and revive the healthcare system comprehensively.
It urged the government to include SKIMS in the rebate policy without delay while also expanding the scope of rebates to private diagnostic labs to ensure wider accessibility.
