Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari warned private hospitals against misusing the benefits of Ayushman card meant for the poor. “I want to make it clear that do not make the mistake of considering the Ayushman card of the poor as an ATM. Some hospitals swipe the card and withdraw the entire money and refer the patient to RIMS Ranchi, this is completely unacceptable. The poor should get the treatment they deserve and also the full benefit of the scheme. Any such behavior will not be tolerated at all,” he said.
Dr Ansari was speaking as Chief Guest at the AHPI Conclave attended by representatives, managers and doctors of private hospitals across the state here on Tuesday. The conclave was called to discuss issues related to pending payment of government due bills under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).
Dr. Ansari listened to the problems of all the hospital managers seriously and taking a tough stand on this, issued instructions to the department to pay the pending due bills within a day.
The minister also reiterated that the present government in Jharkhand is a government of the poor, and their hopes will not be allowed to be shattered. “We will not let the image of the government be tarnished, but will take health services to new heights,” he said.
Further, the minister informed that from February 11, 2025 till now, payment of about Rs 192 crore is pending, which will be settled soon. A total of ₹2284 crore has been paid in the last 7 years. Rs 485 crore has been paid for 7.3 lakh government hospital patients, and more than ₹2000 crore has been paid for 14 lakh private hospital patients.
The Minister informed that some payments have been delayed due to the investigation of 212 hospitals identified by the National Anti-Fraud Unit. The payments of other 350 hospitals have faced technical difficulties due to the new portal system, to overcome which the department's team is constantly in touch with NHA. The solution will be ensured soon.
Dr. Ansari made a big announcement on this occasion regarding the health infrastructure of the state and said, “The construction work of RIMS-2 is being started, and this dream will come true in the next two years. This will be a historic step towards providing modern and comprehensive health services to the people of the state.”
He further said that “I am a doctor first, then a minister. Our first duty is – service. I will not let the health system become a business. Whoever works in the right direction will get full support of the government. But any kind of negligence or irregularity will not be tolerated.”
At the AHPI Conclave, Founder President Yogesh Gambhir said that such programs are very important to fill the communication gap between the government and private hospitals. Its purpose is to establish coordination between both the parties and provide treatment to the last person. IHPI put forward demands like payment within 15 days or 1% interest on delay under the Ayushman Agreement.
Additional Chief Secretary Ajay Kumar Singh said that the state's neonatal and maternal mortality rate is slightly lower than the national average and we are better than many states. The state has a total of about 15,500 beds in the government and private sector. The government is working towards adding 2,000–3,000 new beds every year, so that the target of one lakh beds can be achieved soon.
NHM MD Abu Imran said that the government is serious about maternal and infant mortality rate. 85% of the people of the state have got health insurance cover. Jharkhand is the first state where employees are being given unlimited insurance cover. State Employees Health Insurance, Chief Minister Abua Health Security Scheme and Ayushman Bharat Scheme together are providing strong health security to the people of the state.
Departmental Secretary Ajay Kumar Singh, Campaign Director Abu Imran, Dr. Girdhar Gyani, Dr. Yogesh Gambhir, Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Syed Ahmed Ansari, Dr. Satish Thakur, Dr. Anant Sinha, Dr. Ajay Singh, Dr. Shambhu, Dr. Pradeep Singh, Manzoor Ansari, Anwar Ahmed Ansari along with other senior officers and doctors were present in this important meeting.