MANGALURU KARNATAKA 08\06\2026 : Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader speaking in the review meeting with health department officials at Praja Soudha, in Mangaluru on June 8, 2026. PHOTO: MANJUNATH HS \ THE HINDU
| Photo Credit: H S MANJUNATH
Taking exception to private hospitals collecting charges from Ayushman Bharath Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) health insurance scheme beneficiaries, in addition to the insurance claim for the treatment that is given, Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader said in Mangaluru on Monday that Arogya Mitras should act against such hospitals.“I am serious about this. Arogya Mitras are posted in the private hospitals to help beneficaries get necessary assistance. If I hear any complaint from patients that they were made to pay from their pocket, then the Arogya Mitra concerned will be sacked,” Mr. Khader said during the district level Health and Family Welfare Department review meeting that he chaired. Arogya Mitra should fight for the beneficiaries and not collude with private hospitals, he added.District Health and Family Welfare Officer H. Thimmaiah said complaints of overcharging were being heard and redressed by the committee headed by Deputy Commissioner H.V. Darshan.To a query by Mr. Khader, an officer monitoring the implementation of AB-ArK said a patient has to pay the charges for angiogram if the test reveals that there is no need to undergo angioplasty for placing a stent. “Angiogram is done as per the advice of the doctor and patient should not be charged if results shows there is no need to do angioplasty,” said Mr. Khader.Mr. Khader said he will take this up in the meeting to be held in Bengaluru.The AB-ArK officer pointed that because of difficulty in getting facial recognition most of the accident victims were being denied cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim for seven days from the date of accident provided under Centre’s PM Rahat scheme. Questioning facial recognition norm, Mr. Khader said he will take it up with higher officials.The Minister said he will also look into technicalities and implement the pending Ayushman Vayo Vandana scheme that entails cashless treatment for senior citizens.Dr. Thimmaiah said of the 87 posts of pharmacists in government healthcare centres, 21 posts were vacant. Several posts of staff nurses and laboratory technicians were vacant, he said.To the need for an ambulance for the Tingalady PHC in Sullia taluk, the Minister said effort should be made to contact social organisations and firms to get the ambulance. An health officer from Kudupu PHC sought permission to procure locally the essential drugs valued at ₹16 lakh as it was taking long time to get it through GeM (Government e Marketplace) portal.The Minister directed health officials to forthwith take steps to prevent spread of malaria and dengue, which is noticed in the region during intermittent rainfall. Published - June 08, 2026 09:10 pm IST
