Pune hospitals face financial strain from unpaid dues

Hospitals in Pune are facing financial difficulties due to delayed payments from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). The delay affects treatment costs for patients enrolled in the Urban Poor Health Scheme (UPHS) and Contributory Health Scheme (CHS). The Association of Hospitals (AOH) has reported that dues have not been cleared for over six months. The AOH, which includes major hospitals like Noble Hospital and Ruby Hall Clinic, claims the PMC owes between ₹25 crores and ₹30 crores. Dr. H K Sale, the chairman of AOH Pune, highlighted that the PMC previously claimed the delay was due to election-related checks on files. The AOH requested a meeting with the PMC last month to discuss the issue, but the meeting was canceled without explanation. Hospitals are continuing to treat patients without guarantees of payment. Dr. Sale warned that they may have to stop services to these patients if payments are not made soon. In response, Dr. Sanjeev Wavare from the PMC said that the payment process is still ongoing. He acknowledged that about ₹20 crores in bills are waiting to be processed. Wavare described this as a complex and slow process, urging hospitals to be patient as they work through the delays.