People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former Minister Naem Akhtar on Wednesday expressed grave concern over the “growing crisis” in Jammu and Kashmir’s health insurance scheme, which left nearly 3 lakh patient cases unresolved.
“Delays in clearing claims are severely impacting critical care, with private hospitals on the brink of closure of the Sehat Scheme due to unpaid dues,” Akhtar said, quoting authentic media reports.
He highlighted that only 1,000 cases are being cleared daily, leaving Rs 420 crore worth of medical procedures unpaid.
The former Minister also pointed out that the High Court had explicitly directed the insurance company to refrain from rejecting claims on “flimsy” grounds, but such practices reportedly persist.
Adding to the crisis, the PDP leader noted, is the premature termination of the IFFCO TOKIO contract, which has left the healthcare system in disarray. Payments have been pending since March 2024 for 137 private hospitals, and operational challenges are mounting.
Akhtar also raised alarm over the reported spike in Hepatitis cases in Bandipora.
