Protect lifeline of healthcare

The warning by private hospitals and dialysis centres in Jammu and Kashmir that they may withdraw from the Ayushman Bharat-SEHAT Scheme from July 1 has brought into sharp focus the urgent need to address financial and administrative bottlenecks in one of the region’s most important healthcare initiatives. At stake is not merely a government programme but a vital lifeline for lakhs of families who depend on cashless treatment for serious illnesses. Since its implementation, Ayushman Bharat-SEHAT has transformed healthcare access across Jammu and Kashmir. By covering the costs of surgeries, hospitalization and specialized treatments, the scheme has protected economically weaker households from catastrophic medical expenses. For many families, it has meant the difference between receiving timely treatment and falling into debt. However, the success of any health insurance programme depends on the confidence and participation of healthcare providers. Reports of delayed reimbursements and mounting pending claims have placed several private hospitals under financial strain. If these concerns remain unresolved, the withdrawal of empanelled institutions could significantly reduce treatment options for beneficiaries and undermine public trust in the scheme. The assurance given by Health Minister Sakeena Itoo that the government is actively examining the issue is encouraging. Yet the situation demands more than assurances. Swift action is required to clear pending dues, streamline claim-processing mechanisms and establish a predictable payment system that prevents similar crises in the future. Healthcare schemes function effectively only when the interests of patients, hospitals and the government are balanced. Delays in payments may appear administrative, but their consequences are deeply human, affecting patients awaiting surgeries, dialysis sessions and other critical treatments. The government must treat this matter with utmost urgency. Ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of Ayushman Bharat-SEHAT is not merely a financial obligation but a commitment to the health, dignity and well-being of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.