Srinagar, Jun 29: Private hospitals across Jammu and Kashmir have reiterated that they will be compelled to suspend dialysis, chemotherapy and all other treatments being provided under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)/SEHAT scheme from July 1, 2026, citing an acute financial crisis caused by the non-release of long-pending government payments.
The Jammu and Kashmir Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association (JKPHDCA) appealed directly to the people of the Union Territory, saying the decision has been taken with “a heavy heart” after exhausting every possible option to continue services despite mounting financial constraints.
The association, in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that for months, private hospitals have continued treating beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT scheme without charging patients, trusting that the government would honour its commitment to reimburse hospitals on time. However, it alleged that payments amounting to several crores of rupees have remained pending for nearly three years, pushing many healthcare institutions to the brink of collapse.
JKPHDCA president (Jammu Region), Sandeep Mengi, said hospitals have exhausted all available resources while trying to keep essential medical services operational.
“For months we have treated your mothers, fathers, children and elderly family members under the Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT scheme without taking a single rupee from them. We believed the government’s assurance that hospitals would be reimbursed on time. Unfortunately, that promise has remained unfulfilled,” Mengi said.
He said hospitals were forced to borrow money, delay payments to suppliers and, in several cases, even defer staff salaries in an effort to ensure uninterrupted patient care.
“Today our pharmacies are running empty. We have no dialyzers, cancer medicines, surgical consumables or even adequate oxygen refills. Vendors have stopped supplying us because outstanding bills have remained unpaid for a prolonged period,” he said.
According to the association, repeated representations were made before government authorities through meetings, memoranda, press conferences and media appeals, but no concrete action has followed.
“We knocked on every door. We approached officials, raised the issue through newspapers, television debates and press conferences. Every time we were told that the matter would be resolved soon. Unfortunately, only assurances have come while the financial crisis has continued to deepen. Files do not save lives—medicines do,” Mengi said.
The association maintained that continuing treatment without essential medicines, consumables and life-saving equipment would compromise patient safety.
“A doctor without medicines is helpless, and a hospital without medical supplies is merely a building. We cannot endanger the lives of patients by pretending that we can continue treatment when critical resources have been exhausted,” the statement said.
Expressing concern for patients dependent on regular life-saving treatment, the association urged families of those undergoing dialysis or chemotherapy to immediately consult their respective hospitals instead of waiting until the end of June.
The association appealed to the public to stand in solidarity with healthcare institutions, stressing that doctors, nurses and medical staff are not responsible for the present crisis but have themselves become victims of prolonged financial delays.
It further urged people to appeal to the Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor to facilitate the immediate release of pending payments, saying that timely financial support would enable hospitals to replenish medicines and continue serving patients without interruption.
“We do not want to discontinue these services. We took an oath to serve humanity. We earnestly request the government to release the pending funds immediately so that medicines and essential supplies can be procured and treatment can continue. Patients should not suffer because of administrative delays,” the association said.
Warning that services under the Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT scheme may cease from July 1 if no immediate intervention is made, the association said: “If hospital doors close on July 1, please remember that it was not our choice. We have been left with no alternative due to prolonged indifference and the non-release of legitimate dues.” (KNO)
