Government hospitals and medical colleges are reeling from a lack of vital drugs, a crisis Vijayendra attributes to ministerial negligence and undue influence from a Mangaluru-based private figure, Wahab Khan. ‘This individual’s grip has destroyed our procurement system,’ he thundered, detailing how contracts are being fragmented to enable graft.

Tender participation has plummeted, Vijayendra explained, as firms balk at exorbitant commission demands of 15-20%. Drugs are procured at triple the market price, he alleged, challenging Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao to justify awarding tenders to one favored entity.

The fallout extends to frontline workers: 108 ambulance personnel endure eight to nine months without pay, pushing them to the streets in protest alongside frustrated doctors. Vijayendra decried the absence of medicines forcing the poor to private outlets and accused the government of sabotaging PM Modi’s Jan Aushadhi Kendra initiative for political gain.

A staggering 143 crore dues to a private diagnostic firm have halted CT and MRI services, hitting vulnerable groups like expectant mothers hardest. ‘The administration prioritizes touts over people,’ Vijayendra charged, slamming the CM for evading accountability and finger-pointing at past governments.

With unparalleled budgetary experience, Siddaramaiah must step up, the BJP leader demanded, calling for genuine governance over rhetoric to alleviate the health sector’s woes and restore faith in public healthcare.

The operating committee meeting focused on the scheme’s achievements and roadmap ahead. Lalduhoma commended Health Minister Lalrinpuii and the MUHCS team, crediting their commitment for enhancing faith in state-run health infrastructure.

Enrollment includes nearly 2.88 lakh families from diverse groups: ordinary families, pensioners, state employees, and AB-PMJAY cardholders. This broad coverage ensures health protection for a substantial portion of Mizoram’s residents.

Claim statistics reveal robust utilization—29 percent of families have submitted claims in the current financial period, representing seven percent of all beneficiaries. Each approved claim averages Rs 15,106, demonstrating cost-effective support.

A striking 70 percent of claims originate from public hospitals, a testament to improved reliance on government care. Private facilities see larger payouts mainly for critical conditions, balancing the scheme’s reach across providers.

Discussions stressed fortifying public hospitals and channeling treatments to empanelled ones. Emergency protocols for unlisted hospitals will be refined to ensure seamless care.

On the funding front, Rs 154 crore has been disbursed this year, with Rs 48 crore more anticipated. Authorities have processed 83,682 claims totaling Rs 126 crore, with Rs 38 crore pending swift approval.

To support hospitals, payments are issued weekly rather than the stipulated 30 days, minimizing delays. Future plans include simplifying procedures, setting up medicine depots at low costs, and curbing dual memberships for optimal implementation.

Key attendees included advisor T.B.C. Lalvenchhunga, reinforcing the administration’s focus on sustainable health reforms.

He recalled a time when Arvind Kejriwal’s government provided free medicines and tests, and arrangements were made to send patients to private facilities for advanced procedures like MRI, CT scans, or surgeries if they weren’t available in government hospitals. However, Bharadwaj claimed that today, Delhi’s government hospitals and the central government’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital face shortages of medicines, tests, and surgeries, attributing this to the BJP’s plans to privatize healthcare services.

Bharadwaj further stated that the healthcare system is being ruined, leading to a decline in patients coming to Delhi for treatment. He suggested that the government is intentionally creating such a situation to facilitate privatization. He highlighted the persistent shortage of medicines in Delhi for months.

Bharadwaj added that the 80 crore budget for ‘Dat’ has been cut, reducing it to zero. He also discussed the ‘Farista Scheme’, and the challenges in procuring medicines.

On the topic of lowering the drinking age from 25 to 21, Bharadwaj noted the BJP’s policies in states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. He pointed out that when liquor stores opened, they created an uproar, and yet, they are now aiming to implement similar policies in Delhi. He accused the Chief Minister of lying regularly and criticized her statements regarding the timing of Ramlila and other events. He also questioned how the BJP would address the pollution in the Yamuna River.