Updated on Aug 17, 7 p.m.

Gujarat Nephrology Association ends strike, awaits govt response

The Gujarat Nephrology Association (GNA) on Aug 17 called off its strike.

The association has taken this decision while awaiting an official response from the state government regarding the resolution of their concerns.

However, a spokesperson from the association has indicated that they might contemplate withdrawing from the coverage offered by PMJAY, if the state government fails to adequately address their demands.

Dr Jigar Srimali, representing the GNA, disclosed that their grievances have not been acknowledged by government health authorities and no meetings have been convened on the matter so far.

Possibility to exit PMJAY prevails

Dr Srimali emphasised, “We are resuming our services temporarily to prevent any inconvenience to the patients. Nevertheless, we will be monitoring the government’s response over the next week. If the situation remains unresolved, the possibility of disassociating from PMJAY remains. We are also exploring potential legal avenues.”

In response to the ongoing strike by nephrologists in Gujarat from Aug 14 to 16, the state government had taken the decision to extend the operating hours of all 280 centres under the A-One dialysis programme across all talukas until late in the night. 

The A-One dialysis programme operating across the state with 280 centres, facilitating approximately four lakh free dialysis procedures annually, had stepped into action by keeping the centres operational round the clock.

The Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC) Ahmedabad, which serves as the nodal agency for the programme, had issued a directive ensuring that no patient requiring dialysis should encounter any difficulties during this period.

This move comes as a response to the protest by nephrologists throughout Gujarat who have refrained from providing dialysis services to PMJAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) patients for a duration of three days.

Dr Vineet Mishra, director, IKDRC said, “We have centres across the state including tribal pockets while the private doctors/hospitals will never go. For us, the most important thing is that the dialysis facilities reach the patient at the last mile.” He adds, “The doctors (who were a part of the strike) cannot take the government at ransom.”

The protest was aimed at opposing the reduction in the dialysis rates provided to private hospitals under the PMJAY scheme.

A brief backdrop

On Aug 14, the Nephrology Association of Gujarat started a three-day strike in protest against the state government’s decision to slash dialysis rates under the PMJAY scheme. Around 120 private doctors joined the protest.

The rates for dialysis were lowered from ₹2,000 to ₹1,650, inclusive of a ₹300 transport allowance for patients.

The Nephrology Association of Gujarat is advocating for a revised dialysis rate of ₹ 2,500, which includes a transport allowance of ₹300 for patients.

(With inputs by IANS)  

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