Reimbursement for government health projects takes years: IMA president

Pune: Indian Medical Association (IMA) national president Dr Sharad Agarwal said the multiple health schemes run by the Centre or state take years to reimburse private hospitals, affecting their daily routine. Even if they get reimbursed, there are a lot of uncalled deductions, he added.

Agarwal was speaking at the IMA Pune event on Sunday. “It's time the government improves its communication with the private sector. We have always been there, be it polio, tuberculosis or HIV awareness and treatment. The problem is that we are often ignored and overlooked as the elections are round the corner. The government focuses more on votes, not the healthcare system,” he said.

Agarwal said the promised compensation to families of healthcare workers who lost their lives during Covid has still not been cleared by the Centre. “There are around 2,000 such doctors who lost their lives. We chipped in and contributed funds across local IMA bodies for such families,” he said.

On the current surge in COVID cases, Agarwal said there is absolutely no need to panic and people just have to go back to basic COVID guidelines and avoid crowded places.

He said, “COVID vaccination will surely help, especially for the vulnerable age group and it should be focused upon. We can always offer our assistance to the government if they approach us.”