Srinagar, Nov 19: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former minister Naem Akhtar on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the growing crisis in Jammu and Kashmir’s health insurance scheme, which has 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.
Akhtar 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, he 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. Calling for a swift response, he urged authorities to immediately deploy a specialized team from SKIMS to the affected area. “Facilities at the district hospital must be upgraded to enable early detection and timely intervention,” Akhtar said, adding that daily monitoring of cases should be conducted under the supervision of the deputy commissioner.
The PDP leader emphasized that both issues—health insurance backlogs and the Hepatitis outbreak—highlight systemic failures in healthcare management that require urgent redressal. “The health and well-being of the people should be the top priority,” he said.
