PANAJI: In what could spell major trouble for the Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana, all 43 empaneled private hospitals have threatened to back out of the present format of the scheme citing economic unviability.
Empaneled private hospitals are scheduled to meet Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday with the request to maintain ‘status quo' till formal review scheme. The meeting will be crucial in deciding the fate of the scheme.
On Monday and Tuesday, series of meetings have been lined up between the government authorities, doctors and the insurance providers, United India Insurance Company and Paramount Health Services Pvt Ltd, in the hope of arriving at an amicable resolution.
An emergency meeting of representatives of the empaneled private hospitals was convened on Saturday to discuss the economic aspect of DDSSY and the inability of private healthcare providers to offer quality healthcare under the scheme's current format.
The meeting was attended by majority of the 43 empaneled private hospitals which include 21 hospitals from South Goa, 13 from North Goa, four from Bangalore, two from Belgaum and one each from Udupi, Mangalore and Sangli.
In particular, questions were raised over the viability of the scheme following the amendment of the ‘upgrade clause', as detailed in the memorandum of understanding signed by the hospitals.
As per the ‘upgrade clause', explained in point 5.7 of the MoU, private hospitals were permitted to offset losses incurred by them due to the low rates allotted for procedures under the DDSSY by charging the patients for the difference in package, if the patients sought for an upgrade un accommodation and if they expected higher quality of services.
The clause as included in order to allow the empaneled private hospitals to balance their expenses.
However, following the sudden amendment of the clause by the government and the insurance provider, private hospitals have been unable to balance the financial aspect of the scheme.
Sources disclosed that the government's refusal to review DDSSY, especially the ‘upgrade clause' and the rates set for around 150 procedures and medical services provider therein could prompt the empaneled private hospitals to serve a notice period of 30 days from January 11, as is required under the clause 2 (c) of the MoU.
It was also discussed that, on humanitarian and ethical grounds, only dialysis would continue to remain operational during this notice period, and possibly till authorities make alternative arrangements for the patients.
Empaneled private hospitals are scheduled to meet Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday with the request to maintain ‘status quo' till formal review scheme. The meeting will be crucial in deciding the fate of the scheme.
On Monday and Tuesday, series of meetings have been lined up between the government authorities, doctors and the insurance providers, United India Insurance Company and Paramount Health Services Pvt Ltd, in the hope of arriving at an amicable resolution.
An emergency meeting of representatives of the empaneled private hospitals was convened on Saturday to discuss the economic aspect of DDSSY and the inability of private healthcare providers to offer quality healthcare under the scheme's current format.
The meeting was attended by majority of the 43 empaneled private hospitals which include 21 hospitals from South Goa, 13 from North Goa, four from Bangalore, two from Belgaum and one each from Udupi, Mangalore and Sangli.
In particular, questions were raised over the viability of the scheme following the amendment of the ‘upgrade clause', as detailed in the memorandum of understanding signed by the hospitals.
As per the ‘upgrade clause', explained in point 5.7 of the MoU, private hospitals were permitted to offset losses incurred by them due to the low rates allotted for procedures under the DDSSY by charging the patients for the difference in package, if the patients sought for an upgrade un accommodation and if they expected higher quality of services.
The clause as included in order to allow the empaneled private hospitals to balance their expenses.
However, following the sudden amendment of the clause by the government and the insurance provider, private hospitals have been unable to balance the financial aspect of the scheme.
Sources disclosed that the government's refusal to review DDSSY, especially the ‘upgrade clause' and the rates set for around 150 procedures and medical services provider therein could prompt the empaneled private hospitals to serve a notice period of 30 days from January 11, as is required under the clause 2 (c) of the MoU.
It was also discussed that, on humanitarian and ethical grounds, only dialysis would continue to remain operational during this notice period, and possibly till authorities make alternative arrangements for the patients.
