GOALPARA: A recent directive by the Assam State government to discontinue coverage for dialysis-related treatments in private empanelled hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Ayushman Asom-Mukhya Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AA-MMJAY) has caused considerable alarm among patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) across the state. The policy change, set to take effect from July 1, threatens to disrupt access to critical, life-sustaining care for many.
Beneficiaries of these flagship health schemes, who often require dialysis two to three times weekly, fear that the withdrawal of cashless services from private facilities will severely impede their ability to receive timely treatment. This concern is particularly acute for individuals residing in rural and remote areas, where access to government medical college hospitals with advanced facilities might be challenging or distant.
State officials have indicated that the rationale behind this decision is the substantial expansion of healthcare infrastructure and treatment capabilities within government medical college hospitals. Furthermore, the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) is cited as a key factor enabling this shift in policy, aiming to consolidate and strengthen dialysis services within the public health system.
The specific procedures being delisted from private hospital coverage under the schemes include chronic haemodialysis, acute haemodialysis, permanent tunnelled catheter placement (as an alternative to AV Fistula for long-term dialysis), and peritoneal dialysis. As the July 1 deadline approaches, patients and their families are bracing for potential disruptions and advocating for solutions to ensure uninterrupted access to their vital medical care.
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