Karnal/Rohtak, Sept. 2 -- Around 650 private hospitals under the banner of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Tuesday observed a 24 hours suspension of work reportedly over delays in the settlement of claims for the last six months.

According to the IMA, their payments amounting to over Rs.1,200 crore were pending with the government against claims, with regards to the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

The IMA has also warned that if their demands were not addressed, they would suspend the services indefinitely from September 16.

The scheme is important for economically weaker partients and scores of them visit empanelled hospitals for cashless treatment.

Patients either had to pay for treatment at private facilities or approach government...