Dakshina Kannada MP Urges Improved Access to Ayushman Bharat Scheme

Chowta highlighted recurring issues with the scheme’s implementation, citing complaints about private hospitals delaying treatment and government hospitals taking too long to issue reference letters.

Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta has called on the district administration to impanel all private hospitals in the region under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and the Chief Minister’s Arogya Karnataka scheme.

In a recent review meeting, Chowta emphasized the need to streamline services for patients, pointing out that the district has extensive healthcare infrastructure that could support better access to these health benefits.

Chowta highlighted recurring issues with the scheme’s implementation, citing complaints about private hospitals delaying treatment and government hospitals taking too long to issue reference letters.

“It is unfortunate that confusion exists when accessing Ayushman Bharat benefits. Some hospitals are allegedly delaying care for eligible patients,” he said.

To address these issues, Chowta recommended that the health department assign nodal officers to improve coordination between hospitals and patients, ensuring that services are available on a 24x7 basis.

He stressed that no families below the poverty line (BPL) should be denied treatment.

Proposal for a Dedicated App

The MP also suggested the creation of a dedicated mobile app to provide detailed information on scheme benefits and a list of impanelled hospitals. He noted that this would help family members quickly locate participating hospitals.

Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, BPL families can access free treatment up to INR 5 lakh, while above the poverty line (APL) families are entitled to a 30% discount.

Chowta urged the health department to address reports of some private hospitals refusing benefits to APL families.

According to District Health Officer Dr. Thimmaiah HR, INR 15 lakh was disbursed to hospitals under the scheme in August across the district, helping extend critical healthcare to eligible families.

In a similar development, last month, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced plans to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) while continuing the state’s Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (G-JAY).

Speaking at the inauguration of the Central Drugs Testing Laboratory in Gothapatna, Majhi emphasized the state’s dedication to expanding healthcare access, noting that eligible beneficiaries who have yet to receive benefits would soon be covered under Ayushman Bharat.

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