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    Out-patient, emergency services under NTR Vaidya Seva to be stopped from October 9 midnight

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    By The Hindu Bureau

    Copyright thehindu

    Out-patient, emergency services under NTR Vaidya Seva to be stopped from October 9 midnight

    At a time when the Primary Health Centre (PHC) doctors are continuing their strike, the Andhra Pradesh Speciality Hospitals’ Association (ASHA) has announced discontinuation of all medical services being provided at empanelled hospitals across the State, under Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva, from Friday.

    There are more than 600 network hospitals in the State, providing cashless treatment to people belonging to economically backward sections.

    A statement released to the media on Thursday said that the empanelled hospitals were not in a position to continue providing healthcare services to the public as the government had not yet released funds to cover the expenses incurred by these hospitals under the scheme.

    ASHA vice-president S.V.L. Narayana Rao said the outpatient and emergency services would be stopped from Thursday midnight.

    He said that they would not send away a patient in need, adding that they would stabilise the patients and refer them to the nearest government hospital, or they would provide treatment without applying the benefits of Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva scheme.

    The association, in the statement, says more than ₹2,700 crore was due to the empanelled (or network) hospitals in the State. “As months pass, the amount just keeps increasing. Despite our appeals, the State government has not taken any step towards clearing the dues,” the statement says.

    The association, in its letter to Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav and NTR Vaidya Seva Trust on September 25, announced that all services would be stopped in the network hospitals from October 10 if the dues were not cleared.

    The members said they would not come for any discussion until the initial assured sum of ₹670 crore was released.

    K. Vijay Kumar, president of the association, said since the assured amount had not been released, they had no option but to stop all services. The association members have met several public representatives and District Collectors since September 25, but to no avail, he added.

    The association has requested the State government to make alternative arrangements to ensure that the public is not inconvenienced by the decision.