Jammu, 8 September (H.S.):
As IFFCO Tokio General Insurance Company continues its “exit
mode” from the AB-PMJAY-SEHAT scheme in J&K, the Private Diagnostic
Centres’ Association (PDCA) today urged authorities to release the relief funds
to support dialysis patients.
At a press conference, PDCA-J&K president
Umar IqbalDhar assured that private centres have not stopped providing dialysis
services despite the ongoing situation, calling for immediate intervention from
the authorities.
“We urge the Chief Secretary, Divisional
Commissioner and all Deputy Commissioners to release the relief funds to
private dialysis centres, so that we can continue supporting patients in need.
We are doing everything we can,” he said.
He also called on J&K Bank and other
companies to provide CSR funds to support the dialysis centres during these
challenging times.
Dhar criticized the insurance company for
jeopardizing patients’ lives by violating the agreement, which was supposed to
last until 2025.
“We have not halted dialysis services because
it’s a matter of life and death. We are human too, but the insurance company’s
contract termination has put patients at risk,” he said.
PDCA-J&K President noted that, despite
government efforts to encourage them to continue, the centres have exhausted
their resources, with payments worth crores still pending, further delayed due
to the matter being sub judice. He mentioned that 6,000 people across J&K
are currently undergoing dialysis.
He emphasized that even though the matter is
under judicial review, there are still ways for authorities to intervene and
provide necessary support.
“More than roads and other construction
projects, we need to save lives. Charitable trusts are doing everything they
can; authorities need to step up and provide the much-needed relief,” he said.
Dhar also referenced the recent meeting of
Association members with LG Manoj Sinha, stating that despite assurances, the
problem still persists.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar
