Cardiac services restored at SSH Jammu: H&ME Secy

Jammu, Dec 9: A day after the vendors paused supplies of stent and other essential cardiac devices thus bringing functioning of the institute to a halt, J&K Health and Medical Education (H&ME) department Tuesday swung to action and restored the cardiac services at Super Specialty Hospital (SSH), Jammu on Tuesday.

Following restoration of services, the H&ME department also announced to initiate strict action against defaulters. Besides, a detailed enquiry to ascertain the circumstances leading to the disruption, fix responsibility, and recommend systemic safeguards was also ordered.

Supplies were suspended by the suppliers on the pretext of delayed payments.

Administrative Secretary Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department, Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, while addressing a press conference late Tuesday evening, said that the department had taken serious note of the abrupt disruption of cardiac devices and stent supplies to the Cardiology department of the Super Speciality Hospital (SSH), Jammu, by four suppliers operating under the Amrit Pharmacy network.

“The suppliers had, without any prior notice, stopped the supply of essential cardiac implants and consumables from December 8, 2025, citing delayed payments,” Shah said.

Reiterating that SSH Jammu has been providing comprehensive cardiac care—including angiography, angioplasty, stenting, CCU management and other advanced interventions—entirely cashless under the AB-PMJAY SEHAT scheme, H&ME Secretary said that the sudden stoppage of supplies by the vendors jeopardised these lifesaving services.

“This amounted to a reckless act - endangering patients’ lives,” he said.

“Taking immediate cognizance, the department has directed GMC Jammu to arrange supplies from alternative vendors and other institutions, including AIIMS Jammu, GMC Srinagar, SKIMS and PGIMER Chandigarh. Consequently, cardiac services were restored forthwith,” Shah stated.

Detailing about the actions initiated, Secretary H&ME said that immediate arrangements were made as per norm of essential cardiac devices through alternate authorised suppliers to ensure uninterrupted patient care.

“Action also included filing of a criminal complaint, with CCTV evidence, for alleged theft and unlawful removal of cardiac stents and institution of a detailed enquiry to ascertain the circumstances leading to the disruption, fix responsibility, and recommend systemic safeguards,” he informed.

Shah said, “The department reiterates its unwavering commitment to protecting patient lives and ensuring uninterrupted delivery of critical health services across the Union Territory.”

On December 8, in a unified call for urgent action, all MSME healthcare suppliers serving the Super Speciality Hospital (SSH), Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, had paused the supplies while highlighting the pressing need for the timely release of pending payments totalling approximately Rs 30 Cr under the flagship Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).

“Because of these unpaid dues from Amrit Pharmacy and the State Health Agency, distributors are no longer receiving fresh supplies from their parent companies. Due to non-availability of stocks, they’ve had no choice but to pause deliveries to the Super Speciality Hospital (SSH) starting this Monday (December 8), something we’re all hoping to resolve quickly to keep care flowing for patients who need it most,” a spokesperson had said.

These payments, according to spokesperson, critical for procuring high-value cardiac devices and consumables essential to the hospital’s Cath Lab, were “delayed despite recent allocations to the State Health Agency (SHA), Jammu and Kashmir, underscoring a vital gap in the flow of funds that could otherwise ensure uninterrupted patient care.”

“All key suppliers have been steadfast in their commitment to providing life-critical items. These supplies form the lifeline for emergency interventions in Jammu and Kashmir’s premier cardiac facility, supporting thousands of vulnerable patients annually under the PM-JAY scheme. However, prolonged delays in payment processing through Amrit Pharmacy—a unit of Hindustan Lifecare Limited (HLL), the government-owned public sector undertaking, have strained vendors’ capacities, making it increasingly challenging to maintain stock levels without compromising quality or timeliness,” spokesperson had said.