![Members of Private Diagnostic Centres’ Association (PDCA) J&K during a press conference in Srinagar on Saturday. — Excelsior/Shakeel Members of Private Diagnostic Centres’ Association (PDCA) J&K during a press conference in Srinagar on Saturday. — Excelsior/Shakeel](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/page3-3-6-696x459.jpg)
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 7: As IFFCO Tokio General Insurance Company continues its “exit mode” from the AB-PMJAY-SEHAT scheme in J&K, the Private Diagnostic Centres’ Association (PDCA) today urged authorities to release the relief funds to support dialysis patients.
At a press conference, PDCA-J&K president Umar IqbalDhar assured that private centres have not stopped providing dialysis services despite the ongoing situation, calling for immediate intervention from the authorities.
“We urge the Chief Secretary, Divisional Commissioner and all Deputy Commissioners to release the relief funds to private dialysis centres, so that we can continue supporting patients in need. We are doing everything we can,” he said.
He also called on J&K Bank and other companies to provide CSR funds to support the dialysis centres during these challenging times.
Dhar criticized the insurance company for jeopardizing patients’ lives by violating the agreement, which was supposed to last until 2025.
“We have not halted dialysis services because it’s a matter of life and death. We are human too, but the insurance company’s contract termination has put patients at risk,” he said.
PDCA-J&K President noted that, despite government efforts to encourage them to continue, the centres have exhausted their resources, with payments worth crores still pending, further delayed due to the matter being sub judice. He mentioned that 6,000 people across J&K are currently undergoing dialysis.
He emphasized that even though the matter is under judicial review, there are still ways for authorities to intervene and provide necessary support.
“More than roads and other construction projects, we need to save lives. Charitable trusts are doing everything they can; authorities need to step up and provide the much-needed relief,” he said.
Dhar also referenced the recent meeting of Association members with LG Manoj Sinha, stating that despite assurances, the problem still persists.