The launch of Ayushman Bharat in West Bengal on Monday prompted hospitals across Kolkata to quickly formulate plans for a seamless transition into the new healthcare scheme. However, uncertainty remains over whether the state's existing universal health scheme, Swasthya Sathi, introduced by the Trinamool Congress government in 2016, will be withdrawn. Many hospitals have already begun the process of joining the Ayushman Bharat panel.
Hospitals Initiate Empanelment Process
HCG Cancer Hospital in New Town has started documentation to get on the panel. Rupali Basu, regional business head for East and Andhra Pradesh at HCG Cancer Hospital, stated, "HCG has a network of 25 hospitals across 19 cities in India, almost all of which are empanelled under Ayushman Bharat. Documentation and procedural formalities for our Kolkata unit are underway and we expect completion shortly. We look forward to empanelment to extend advanced cancer care to a larger number of patients."
CMRI Hospital has also initiated the procedure. Sombrata Roy, unit head of CK Birla Hospital-CMRI, said, "We hope to finish it in a week. BM Birla Heart Hospital is already on the panel, so we are aware of the formalities."
Several other hospitals, including Charnock Hospital, are ready for empanelment. Prashant Sharma, managing director of Charnock and chairperson of the Indian Chamber of Commerce health committee, remarked, "We are keen to join Ayushman Bharat in Bengal. Most hospitals do not have empanelment yet. We are awaiting instructions on the mechanism for empanelment."
Phasing Out of Swasthya Sathi Expected
Though no official notification was issued as of Monday evening, hospital heads anticipate that Swasthya Sathi will be phased out gradually, with hospitals being empanelled under Ayushman Bharat over a period of six months to a year. Woodlands Hospital has initiated the process, according to Rupak Barua, president of the Association of Hospitals of Eastern India and CEO of Woodlands Hospital. "Other than senior citizens above 70 years, other patients must meet several criteria for admission under Ayushman Bharat. It could take some time, and we will wait for a notification and directions from the new government," Barua added. "We will have meetings to firm up things from our end to implement it."
Already Empanelled Hospitals Continue Operations
Some hospitals, such as Ruby and Peerless, are already empanelled under Ayushman Bharat, though previously only patients from neighbouring states could avail of the scheme. Ruby received insurance payment approvals for Swasthya Sathi patients on Monday, while Peerless confirmed they continue to accept Swasthya Sathi patients. Desun Hospital also admits patients under Ayushman Bharat. Sajal Dutta, chairman and managing director of Desun, explained, "We receive a steady flow of patients from Bihar and Jharkhand under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. We need a phased transition so that processing applications remains easy and patients do not face inconvenience or denial of facility."
Transition Timeline Uncertain
A private hospital official suggested the phasing out could take up to a year. "We can admit patients only after they are registered under Ayushman, which did not cover Bengal so far. So, it could take some time. We have not yet received a notice to shift patients from Swasthya Sathi to Ayushman Bharat," he said.
