Sir Ganga Ram Hospital becomes the Torchbearer of Ayushman Bharat

New Delhi: The reluctance of private hospitals in joining Ayushman Bharat, globally the biggest government funded health protection scheme, seemed to flounder PM Narendra Modi’s game changer healthcare scheme juggernaut. But, with Sir Ganga Ram hospital (SGRH) joining the scheme, the situation is bound to change. SGRH becomes the first private hospital in Delhi to become part of Modicare aka AB-PMJAY.

Talking to Medicare News on being part of the game changer scheme, Dr D S Rana, Chairman, Board of Management, Sir Ganga Ram, said, ‘ Ayushman Bharat scheme of the central government is on the line of SGRH’s charity model which has been working successfully for the last more than 60 years. We feel privileged in joining the scheme. We deeply value the ethos of Ayushman Bharat-PM’s Jan Arogya Yojana. Our hospital will contribute towards the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister to provide health for all Indians.

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital today (March 28) signed an Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U) with National Health Authority , Government of India for empanelment for Ayushman Bharat Scheme.

The agreement was signed by Dr Dinesh Arora, IAS, Dy CEO , National Health Authority , Government of India and Dr Satendra Katoch , Addl. Director Medical , Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

According to Indu Bhushan, CEO, National Health Authority , Government of India ,‘Sir Ganga Ram Hospital has become the first 700-bed high capacity multi-speciality hospital tertiary care hospital from Delhi to join Ayushman Bharat . Many more will follow soon.’

Incidentally, J.P Nadda , the incumbent, union health minister some time back called Sir Ganga Ram Hospital the best healthcare model in the country. Even his UPA predecessor, Gulam Nabi Azad, once showered the same encomium on this hospital.

It is hoped that Sir Ganga Ram hospital will serve as a torchbearer of this Scheme among private hospitals and go a long way in inspiring other private hospitals to be part of the scheme. Private hospitals were not forthcoming because of the abysmally low package rates. The government has indicated that it is amenable to revising rates. In the absence of private hospitals, government hospitals like AIIMS are reeling under the burden of patients coming via this scheme.