Nagaland Private Doctors Association (NPDA) Saturday announced its decision to continue providing Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) services.
NPDA president Dr. Lima Imchen and general secretary Dr. Mhasiseno T. Belho informed that decision was taken following an assurance from the Nagaland Health Protection Society (NHPS) to clear all outstanding payments.
NPDA said it had an extensive meeting with NHPS and representatives from Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees’ Association (CANSSEA) on February 13, 2025.
During the discussion, the association said the NHPS assured to clear all outstanding payments within two weeks. “Prioritizing public welfare, the NPDA has decided to continue providing Ayushman PM-JAY/CMHIS services and will not suspend them at this time,” the association said.
NPDA has, however, affirmed that if the payments were not made within the assured timeframe, it would be compelled to take legal recourse and initiate necessary actions.
NPDA pointed out that private hospitals were facing severe financial distress due to the prolonged non-payment of claims by the Future Generali Insurance (FGI). It said that hospitals needed to allocate funds to procure essential supplies, including emergency medications, chemotherapy agents, laboratory reagents, dialyzers and tubings for hemodialysis, oxygen and surgical consumables.
The association also highlighted that many hospitals were facing financial challenges in managing staff salaries, facility maintenance, uninterrupted 24 hours electricity and water supply, and the continuous provision of critical services such as CCU, ICU and NICU operations.
NPDA has, therefore, urged the responsible authorities to honour their commitments and prevent a potential healthcare crisis. It may be mentioned that the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench had issued an interim order staying the suspension of Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme services by the NPDA, and directing the association to continue providing medical services to beneficiaries until the next hearing.
The order was issued in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by one ST Yapang at the High Court against the state government, Nagaland Health Protection Society (NHPS), Future Generali Insurance Co Ltd., and NPDA.