Ayushman Bharat ‘stumbles’ in Odisha amid treatment denials, tech glitches!

In light of the Ayushman Bharat scheme's rollout across Odisha, a surge of complaints has arisen concerning the accessibility of healthcare services in the State, sources said on Thursday.

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Patients have recounted experiences of doctors refusing to honour the health card for treatments, while technical glitches like OTP issues have resulted in delays in registration, affecting the timeliness of medical help.

Accusations galore by hospitals and patients

An association of hospitals has presented a memorandum to the government, voicing these concerns.

The state's Health Secretary has assured that efforts are underway to address these issues through dialogue with hospitals. The Health Minister has noted widespread misconceptions about the scheme and stated that investigations are underway.

Biranchi Malla, from Choudwar locality of Cuttack, shared his ordeal when his relative, Ajay Malla, suffered a brain stroke and needed immediate care. Biranchi took him to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar.

Despite possessing a Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) card and an Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) number, the hospital demanded an estimate and a treatment code before proceeding.

As a result, the family was compelled to pay Rs 4.5 lakh for the necessary surgery after doctors refused to treat them under the ambitious Ayushman Bharat scheme, the patient’s relative alleged.

Complaints resonate across the State, suggesting systemic flaws in implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Many patients echo similar frustrations.

The hospital outfit highlights operational and technical concerns, such as the inefficiency of the scheme's software and the reduced OTP timeout period to just 10 minutes, causing hurdles in patient admission.

The requirement for doctor-patient photographs has faced criticism, while the hospital association advocates for a return to the prior pre-approval procedure under BSKY, which they claim mitigated financial barriers.

There are also worries about cost caps for surgeries and implants. For instance, spine procedures might require multiple components, yet the scheme’s package covers only one, rendering treatments economically impractical.

In response, a memorandum detailing these issues has been submitted to the Health Minister and Health Secretary. The Secretary has promised prompt resolution discussions with hospital officials, reiterating that hospitals found in non-compliance will face stringent actions.

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“Perhaps a wrong impression has been created (on Ayushman Bharat). However, we are probing into it. The State government will take strong action against the hospitals for denying treatment,” Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling said to mediapersons.