Manipur dialysis patients protest as private hospitals threaten to halt CMHT, PMJAY services over dues

In a desperate plea for survival, dialysis patients in Manipur took to the streets on October 31, demanding immediate government action to ensure that private hospitals do not suspend the Chief Ministergi Hakselgi Tengbang (CMHT) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) services from November 6.

The protest, organised by the All Manipur Dialysis Patients’ Association (AMDPA), began from Keishampat Leimajam Leikai with an attempt to march towards the Raj Bhavan. However, police personnel intercepted the rally midway, preventing the protesters from reaching their destination.

The demonstrators, comprising dialysis patients and their family members, demanded that the state government release the pending reimbursement amounts owed to private hospitals for providing services under CMHT and PMJAY.

AMDPA executive member Lakshmi expressed grave concern over the plight of patients, saying, “The lives of kidney patients have become uncertain after private hospitals announced their plan to stop CMHT and PMJAY benefits from November 6 due to the government’s failure to clear outstanding bills.”

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She pointed out that the cost of dialysis is unaffordable for most patients, making government-backed health schemes a crucial lifeline. “We have repeatedly appealed to the authorities to clear the pending dues, but with no response, even ailing patients were forced to protest in the scorching heat,” she said.

One of the dialysis patients, visibly emotional, pleaded for government intervention: “We fear for our lives if CMHT and PMJAY services are stopped in private hospitals. Thousands of patients depend on them. Please clear the pending amount — we just want to live a little longer with our families.”

The AMDPA warned that if the government fails to act before November 6, they will intensify their agitation, holding the authorities accountable for any loss of life among dialysis patients dependent on private hospitals.