Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 27 October 2024
The Chairman of the Congress Campaign Committee, Mr. TSG Bhasker, has voiced significant concerns regarding the challenges faced by patients of Andaman and Nicobar Islands under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. In a letter to the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mr. Bhasker highlighted the pressing issues stemming from the lack of empaneled and multi-specialty hospitals in the islands.
The absence of local medical facilities forces patients to seek treatment on the mainland, leading to exorbitant travel costs and delays in critical medical care, especially for those requiring urgent attention. “Patients often find themselves bearing expenses that far exceed the ₹5 lakh benefit provided under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, making it financially burdensome during already challenging times,” Mr. Bhasker stated. He noted that airlifting patients on stretcher can cost nearly ₹2.5 lakh, with expenses escalating to over ₹3 lakh if oxygen support or an attendant is required for one-way travel.
The letter further expressed dismay at the experiences of patients who, after managing the financial burden of traveling to the mainland, face additional challenges when admitted to hospitals. Medical professionals often direct them to private clinics for necessary tests outside the hospital, exacerbating their hardships and forcing many to take out loans or sell property to afford treatment.
“This scheme is only beneficial for patients residing on the mainland, who have access to multiple empaneled hospitals in their states. They do not endure the financial strain associated with accommodation, food, travel, or airlifting,” Mr. Bhasker pointed out.
He also criticized the reimbursement process under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, noting that while patients are entitled to reimbursements for travel costs, the Health Department in the islands only reimburses the cost of ship tickets, regardless of whether patients travel by air.
In light of these inefficiencies, Mr. Bhasker has urged the Minister to consider re-implementing the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Scheme for Health Insurance (ANISHI), which was specifically designed to address the unique healthcare needs of the islands. He also called for the permanent appointment of specialists at G.B. Pant Hospital to enable more patients to seek treatment locally and for a reduction in the transportation costs for stretcher patients from ₹2.5 lakh to a more reasonable level.
The issues raised by Mr. Bhasker underscore the urgent need for a healthcare system and insurance scheme that adequately serves the residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, ensuring timely and affordable access to essential medical care.