MSME Cardiac Vendors Halt Deliveries to SSH Jammu as PM-JAY Payments Remain Unpaid

JAMMU, 08-12-2025: A serious supply disruption has hit the Super Speciality Hospital (SSH) Jammu, as per sources, as MSME cardiac equipment and device suppliers announced they are unable to continue deliveries due to unpaid dues amounting to nearly ₹30 crore under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). The mounting arrears, pending for over a year, have led to a complete stock-out of critical cardiac supplies, forcing vendors to halt supply from Monday and raising concerns about the continuity of lifesaving services in the region’s premier cardiac care facility.

According to suppliers, payments owed by Amrit Pharmacy and the State Health Agency (SHA) have not been released despite recent fund allocations to the agency. This financial bottleneck has led parent companies to stop sending fresh consignments to the local distributors, leaving them unable to keep up with the hospital’s requirements. The affected items include high-value cardiac stents, balloons, catheters, and other consumables essential for Cath Lab procedures, many of which support emergency interventions performed daily at SSH Jammu.

Suppliers stressed that the issue is no longer about delayed payments alone but now threatens the operational readiness of the facility’s critical care units. The hospital caters to thousands of patients each year under PM-JAY, and any prolonged shortage of cardiac devices could directly impact treatment timelines and outcomes. Several vendors expressed that despite their unwavering commitment to maintaining supplies for public healthcare institutions, the extended financial strain has made it impossible to continue without jeopardizing their own operations, credit cycles, and compliance obligations.

They also highlighted that the delay stems largely from payment processing inefficiencies within Amrit Pharmacy, operated by Hindustan Lifecare Limited (HLL), a government-owned PSU. As payments remain stuck, vendors say they are unable to clear outstanding amounts with manufacturers, many of whom now require clearance of past dues before dispatching fresh stock. This, they warn, is widening the gap between patient need and supply availability.

Representatives of the MSME group have jointly submitted multiple representations to the concerned authorities over the past year, urging immediate intervention to clear the pending bills. They argue that the integrity of Ayushman Bharat depends on timely reimbursement and seamless coordination among stakeholders, and that supply chain disruptions caused by bureaucratic delays could undermine public confidence in what is otherwise a landmark healthcare initiative.

Despite the challenges, suppliers expressed optimism that the issue will be resolved soon. They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Jammu and Kashmir’s healthcare ecosystem, noting that they remain ready to resume full supplies as soon as the overdue payments are released. “Our goal has always been uninterrupted care for patients. We are hopeful that this matter will receive urgent attention so that the hospital’s critical cardiac services can continue without pause,” a spokesperson said.