Private Hospitals Demand Inclusion of Essential Surgeries in Updated Scheme
Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has directed the Union Territory administration to consider extending the Ayushman Bharat Health Benefit Package (HBP) 2022 to ensure equal access to healthcare services for residents.
The directive came in response to a petition filed by St. Joseph Hospital and other empaneled private hospitals, urging the government to update the scheme to match the April 6, 2022, national master list under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and its J&K-specific variant, AB-PMJAY-SEHAT.
Outdated Package Limits Access to Essential Surgeries
The petitioners, represented by Advocate Arif Sikandar Mir, argued that J&K still follows an outdated 2021 health package (HBP 2.2), which excludes essential surgeries such as:
✅ Appendectomy
✅ Cholecystectomy
✅ Hemorrhoidectomy
✅ Fissure in Ano Surgery
They contended that this exclusion is causing financial losses to private hospitals and depriving economically weaker sections of much-needed medical procedures.
Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani, in his February 28 ruling, stressed:
“The domiciles of Jammu and Kashmir must be in a position to equally avail the benefits of this flagship scheme at par with other citizens of the country.”
Govt Ordered to Review Insurance Proposal & Implementation
The court also noted that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had issued the revised HBP 2022, which all states and Union Territories were expected to incorporate.
During the hearing, Additional Advocate General (AAG) Alla-ud-Din Ganaie represented the government. Justice Wani stated that the government must strictly follow the guidelines of the scheme before awarding contracts to insurance providers.
The High Court has now ordered the administration to:
🔹 Consider amending the request for proposal (RFP) for the selection of an insurance company implementing AB-PMJAY and AB-PMJAY-SEHAT.
🔹 Ensure the inclusion of these surgeries to benefit underprivileged citizens who cannot afford private treatment.
The ruling is seen as a major step toward equitable healthcare in J&K, ensuring that residents receive comprehensive medical support under the government’s flagship health insurance scheme.
