Jaipur: Talks between the state govt and the Rajasthan Alliance of Hospital Associations (RAHA) remained inconclusive Wednesday, the first day of the suspension of cashless medicine services at OPD pharmacies in private hospitals under the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme (RGHS). A RAHA office-bearer said there was no change in the situation as pending dues had not been cleared. He said private hospitals and pharmacy units had been facing payment delays for months, affecting routine operations. With services suspended at private hospital OPD pharmacies, patients were seen collecting medicines from empanelled pharmacies outside hospitals. Ajit Jain, son of a retired state govt pensioner, said medicines were not being provided under RGHS from the hospital’s OPD pharmacy. A pharmacist near SMS Hospital said patients from private hospitals were turning to outside empanelled stores for RGHS medicines. He said their payments were also pending, but supplies were continuing. The health department said efforts were underway to resolve the issue. Rajasthan State Health Assurance Agency CEO Harjilal Atal said services were largely normal Wednesday, with around 21,000 patients availing treatment across the state.Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully accused the BJP govt of allowing health services and RGHS to slide into “complete collapse.”
