Couldn’t get free treatment under HIMCARE due to non-release of funds for scheme
Mandi (Munish Sood)
A viral video by Jahnavi Sharma, a young girl from Himachal Pradesh, has brought attention to the state’s crumbling healthcare system.
Jahnavi lost her father, Devraj Sharma, due to alleged negligence and the failure of the government-backed HIMCARE scheme, which was supposed to provide financial support for medical treatment.
Family fails to arrange injections costing Rs 50,000
Devraj, a patient at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla, required chemotherapy injections costing over Rs 50,000. The family relied on the HIMCARE scheme, which promises cashless treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per year.
However, the hospital reportedly informed them that the scheme was non-functional due to pending government payments. Unable to arrange the funds in time, the family lost Devraj before treatment could be provided.
Jahnavi’s voice quivers with emotion
Distraught, Jahnavi recorded the video detailing her father’s ordeal. In the video, her voice quivers with emotion as she directly appeals to the Chief Minister, asking why her father had to pay the price for the system’s failures. Jahnavi’s emotional video has garnered widespread attention.
“My father could have been saved if the system worked as promised. The HIMCARE scheme was supposed to support people like us, yet we were left helpless when we needed it most. Why did the hospital deny us the treatment?” Jahnavi questions, her tears underscoring the anguish of countless families in similar situations.
Rs 355 crore HIMCARE dues pending
The video has sparked outrage, highlighting broader issues in the healthcare system. Launched as a beacon of hope, the HIMCARE scheme aimed to provide financial relief to poor families needing medical care. However, the reality is starkly different. Reports indicate that pending payments under the scheme at IGMC have exceeded Rs 65 crore, with the government’s total dues to hospitals statewide crossing Rs 355 crore.
Hospitals have struggled to procure essential drugs and private facilities have stopped accepting HIMCARE beneficiaries.
“Jahnavi’s story has become a symbol of systemic failure, sparking debates about accountability and reform. Families across Himachal Pradesh are facing similar challenges, raising urgent questions about the scheme’s viability and the government’s commitment to public health,” says former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.
It was during Jai Ram’s tenure that the HIMCARE scheme was started. Jai Ram said the incident underscored the need for immediate action to address financial bottlenecks and ensure timely healthcare delivery.
