Manipur’s private healthcare network is on the brink of a major disruption as 43 hospitals across the state have threatened to charge patients directly under government health insurance schemes from November 6 if pending reimbursements are not released.
The Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI) – Manipur State Chapter (MSC) announced the warning during a press conference at IMA Hall, Imphal, citing severe financial distress due to prolonged non-payment under the Chief Ministergi Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) schemes.
AHPI leaders, including Dr. Palin, Dr. James Elangbam, and Dr. Shyamkumar, Medical Superintendent of Babina Hospital, said the hospitals have continued providing essential services despite mounting financial pressure. “We will not stop treating patients, but if the dues are not cleared, we’ll have no option but to collect payments directly,” said Dr. Palin.
Hospitals, they said, are finding it increasingly difficult to pay vendors, clear staff salaries, and maintain routine operations. The biggest impact, they warned, would be on poor patients, especially those dependent on free hemodialysis with private hospitals conducting over 8,000 dialysis sessions a month under CMHT and PMJAY, far exceeding government hospitals’ output.
The association noted that they have repeatedly met senior officials, including the Chief Secretary, Governor, and Health Commissioner, who have acknowledged the issue but urged them to wait for coordination at the central level. Only a fraction of PMJAY payments has been disbursed so far, leaving substantial arrears pending.
AHPI has appealed to the state government to release the reimbursements immediately and sought the Governor’s intervention to avert a breakdown in healthcare services.
If the deadlock continues, thousands of low-income patients may soon have to pay upfront for treatments that were meant to be free further straining Manipur’s already fragile healthcare system.
