Srinagar, March 27: Patients across Kashmir are facing long waiting periods of up to seven months for routine surgical procedures such as gall bladder removal and piles surgery in government hospitals, raising serious concerns about access to timely healthcare.
Several patients who spoke to Rising Kasmir appealed to the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and Health Minister Sakeena Itoo urging immediate intervention to address the growing crisis.
Gulzar Ahmad Wani, a resident of Khrew Pampore, said he had to struggle to secure treatment for his mother. “I had my own gall bladder surgery done in 2022 at a private hospital in Srinagar under the PMJAY (Golden Card) scheme,” he said
He added that this time, the same hospital refused to perform the procedure for his mother, stating that such surgeries are no longer available for Golden Card holders.
“When I approached GMC Anantnag, I was given a date of October 2026,” he said.
Patients like him are suffering greatly and may face serious complications if surgeries are not performed on time.
In another case, Sitara from Gool Gulabgarh said she has been given a date of November 2026 at a hospital near home for piles surgery. “I can’t afford treatment at private hospitals, and waiting this long is worsening my condition,” she said.
Patients allege that the reduced participation of private hospitals under the Golden Card scheme has further burdened government facilities, leading to an unprecedented backlog.
Meanwhile, private healthcare providers have also voiced concern over the situation. A private hospital owner in Srinagar, wishing anonymity, said that pending payments under the scheme have severely impacted operations.
“Despite repeated requests, our dues since July 2025 remain unpaid. Additionally, the package rates are very low. With rising costs of medical supplies, up by 15–22% due to global factors, we are on the verge of bankruptcy,” he said.
Health experts said the twin issues of delayed payments and inadequate package rates have discouraged private sector participation, leaving patients dependent on overburdened government hospitals.
The growing crisis has prompted patients to demand urgent measures, including timely payment clearance, revision of rates under the PMJAY scheme, and expansion of surgical capacity in government hospitals.
For many patients, the delay is not just an inconvenience but a matter of deteriorating health and financial hardship, as access to affordable and timely treatment remains uncertain.
