Ludhiana, Jan. 23 -- While welcoming the launch of Punjab government's flagship Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, Punjab Hospitals and Nursing Home Association (PHANA) emphasised that adequate budgetary allocation and strict adherence to payment timelines were essential for the scheme to work well.

Currently, around 70% of the population is covered, while hospitals still receive nearly 30% payments in cash from non-covered patients.

Once 100% population is brought under the scheme, hospitals will become fully dependent on scheme reimbursements, the body said in a press release issued on Thursday.

It cautioned that any delay in payments may severely impact hospital operations, including the timely payment of staff salaries. Therefore, it stresse...