Thiruvananthapuram: The state government is grappling with dues amounting to crores of rupees owed to public hospitals on behalf of various health schemes. A total of Rs 1353 crore is pending payment at various hospitals, leading to disruptions in medical services across the state.
Amid the financial crisis, the government faces reluctance to release funds, resulting in halted treatments in numerous hospitals. The outstanding dues are primarily from various health programmes, with the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhati (KASP) alone accounting for Rs 1,128.69 crore and the Karunya Benevolent Fund showing Rs 189.28 crore in arrears. 198 government hospitals and 452 private hospitals are enrolled in these schemes.
Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP)
The KASP scheme, which provides medical assistance of Rs 5 lakh annually to individuals from low-income families, currently supports 64 lakh people. However, due to the non-payment of dues, several hospitals, both government and private, are reluctant to continue treatments under this scheme.
Karunya Benevolent Fund Scheme (KBF)
Under this scheme, families receive Rs 2 lakh as medical assistance, mainly directed towards diseases like cancer, haemophilia, kidney and heart diseases. Kidney transplant recipients are entitled to Rs 3 lakh.
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