Article Today, Hyderabad:
Network hospitals across Telangana suspended services under the Aarogyasri scheme from Sunday midnight. The Telangana Network Hospitals Association for Aarogyasri (TANHA) said the decision was taken as the government had not cleared dues of about Rs. 1,300 crore. Hospital managements warned that the suspension would severely affect poor and middle-class patients dependent on the scheme.
Mounting Financial Strain
TANHA president Dr. Vaddiraju Rakesh said hospitals had been raising the issue for months without any response. The association pointed out that delays in clearing bills under Aarogyasri, Employees Health Scheme (EHS), and Journalists Health Scheme (JHS) were pushing many hospitals into financial distress. Some smaller and mid-level hospitals, unable to manage rising operational costs, were reportedly facing closure.
Impact on Operations
The association said the dues had disrupted day-to-day functioning. Many hospitals were struggling to pay salaries to doctors and staff, while agencies had stopped supplying medical equipment and consumables due to non-payment. Dr. Rakesh warned that the quality of healthcare services had already started declining, leaving patients with fewer options.
Unresolved Issues
In January this year, representatives of network hospitals met officials of the Aarogyasri Trust and the Health Department to present their concerns. They sought revision of package rates, timely settlement of bills, and a structured grievance redressal mechanism. However, the association said no action had been taken, and the situation had worsened in the last eight months.
Appeal for Intervention
TANHA appealed to the government to resolve the crisis at the earliest. The association stressed that unless payments were released and reforms introduced, hospitals would be unable to continue extending services. It urged the authorities to act swiftly to protect both hospitals and beneficiaries dependent on the flagship health scheme.
