The Indian Medical Association (IMA), the largest body of practicing doctors in the country has rejected the package rates for various procedures under the Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Scheme (AB-NHPS).

A press statement issued said that the IMA is deeply concerned and rejects the current package rates. "At these rates the Government is exposing patients to danger in hospitals," it said.

Earlier, the Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) had also rejected the package rates on similar grounds. AHPI comprises of hospitals, insurance companies, diagnostic centres and pharma companies as its members.

IMA meeting lashed out at Ayushman Bharat officials for not addressing the concerns raised by the IMA and the rigid attitude on unrealistic package rates.

The statement said that such low rates will compromise quality and breed corruption and this will have a deleterious effect on patient safety. IMA objections on package rates, fund allocation and insurance model remained unchanged, reported India Today.

IMA has also listed out its demands for the scheme. It wants scientific costing should be carried out before fixing the rates. IMA has also objected to the Insurance model of implementation. It has demanded exclusive trust model instead.

"At 15 per cent profit, crores of rupees will go into the hands of middle men, present healthcare delivery system would collapse if all stakeholders are not taken into confidence," the statement said.