Khader warns of action against Arogya Mitras denying cashless care under AB-ArK

Mangaluru: Health and family welfare minister UT Khader Monday warned of strict action against Arogya Mitras who fail to ensure eligible patients receive cashless treatment under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) scheme. He said Arogya Mitras must intervene whenever private hospitals empanelled under the scheme attempt to collect additional charges from patients belonging to the below poverty line (BPL) category.

Khader said the govt would develop a mechanism to make healthcare more affordable for both above poverty line (APL) and BPL families and to reduce patients’ out-of-pocket expenses.

At a review meeting, doctors raised concerns over delays in the release of medicines, particularly IV fluids, stating that the quarantine period for certain drugs had increased following the maternal deaths reported in a Ballari hospital. An official from the logistics department said medicines undergo quality testing after reaching govt warehouses, a process that takes 30 to 45 days before distribution.

PHC doctors flag staff shortage

Doctors attached to primary health centres (PHCs) and urban PHCs across Dakshina Kannada flagged acute shortages of staff nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians and ASHA workers, saying the vacancies are affecting healthcare delivery at the grassroots level. They sought permission for local procurement of medicines, arguing that the existing online procurement system does not always guarantee quality and expressing concern over delays.

District health officer Dr HR Thimmaiah said eight MBBS doctor posts remain vacant across the district’s 64 PHCs. Of the sanctioned posts, 38 are filled by permanent doctors, 11 by contract doctors and 11 by doctors under the compulsory service programme. Only 31 of the 87 sanctioned pharmacist posts have been filled, while 31 of the 81 laboratory technician posts remain vacant, with 10 filled by contract staff.

Doctors said a significant amount of time is spent updating vaccination and health records across multiple govt portals and called for dedicated data entry operators. A doctor from Padangady PHC said the centre, which oversees seven sub-centres, faces a shortage of auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs). Doctors from Neriya and Kollamogru PHCs also highlighted shortages, with the latter noting that he is managing four PHCs.

Khader said vacancies for pharmacists and laboratory technicians would be filled on priority and directed PHC doctors to maintain updated data on patients with non-communicable diseases.

A doctor from Thingalady PHC flagged the lack of an ambulance, noting that the taluk headquarters is nearly 15 km away. Khader said the issue would be examined, suggested exploring support from corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds, and directed the DHO to seek assistance from medical colleges.

The minister said all issues raised would be taken up at a review meeting in Bengaluru Wednesday.