Srinagar, Oct 02 (KNO): While the Ayushman Bharat (Golden Card) scheme may offer some financial respite for various medical treatments in Jammu & Kashmir, many high-cost procedures remain out of reach for the majority.
Cochlear implant surgeries, which restore hearing for deaf children, stand as one of the most expensive treatments available in the region.
The costs for this surgery can start at over Rs 6 lakh, an amount that majority of the families in Kashmir region cannot afford.
Though the government-backed Assistance to Disabled Persons (ADIP) scheme provides financial aid, it sets strict criteria, limiting assistance to the affected families.
GMC Srinagar’s Cochlear Implant efforts
Since resuming cochlear implant surgeries in 2022, the ENT Department at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar has performed over 40 procedures, infusing a listening ability to deaf children.
According to the data obtained by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the department currently has more than 50-60 children registered for cochlear implant surgeries. Out of these, 25 are medically ‘fit’ for implant procedure.
The data reveals that the treatment for 10-15 of registered patients, as per the preliminary evaluation, will be conducted under the Assistance to Disabled Persons (ADIP) scheme, which provides financial aid for such procedures, while remaining are falling under self-sponsored category.
Dr Manzoor Latoo, the head of GMC' Srinagar's ENT Department, explained to KNO that the procedure is specifically designed for children who are deaf. He said that to be eligible, the child must be between the ages of one and five, stating that the early intervention is crucial for the development of hearing.
"The aim is to let these affected children live normal lives, with the ability to hear," he said.
Challenges of high-cost treatment and financial support
Doctors in the department said the device used for Cochlear implant surgery was costly, causing a financial burden to the affected families as the device costs in lakhs of rupees.
“This cost can be out of reach for many families. Thankfully, the department offers support for those from low-income backgrounds. Under the ADIP scheme, children who meet specific criteria can receive the implant for free”, Dr Latoo said.
He said that since the restart in 2022, initial surgeries were done in collaboration with the experts from AIIMS, New Delhi.
A cochlear implant is a small, complex electronic device that can help to provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard-of-hearing.
According to the doctor, their Department at SMHS Srinagar is equipped with a maximum of necessary rehabilitation facilities with access to best possible post-operative care and therapy for the children who undergo the procedures.
The road ahead
Although no formal research or data is available to estimate the number of children in the region who require cochlear implants, experts, however, believe that those affected could benefit from the procedure, which can have significant positive changes in their lives.
Advocate Zahoor, a social activist argues that even families earning just above set threshold criteria will struggle to afford such high-cost treatments. "This income limit prevents many from accessing life-changing surgeries that would restore their children's ability to hear," he said. "There should be no cap on the amount. If someone needs Rs 1 crore for treatment and insurance cover is only for Rs 5 lakh, how can the individual get treated."
He said there are so many patients who prefer not to take up their medical treatment just because of the costs involved, which they cannot afford.
"The government should review the existing health insurance scheme, so as to make it open and available for all medical treatments with no capping on the cashless treatment," Adv Zahoor suggested.
Activists also highlighted that comparatively, states like Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat have implemented more comprehensive support systems for patients needing cochlear implants.
They urged the Jammu & Kashmir government to adopt a similar approach to provide widespread assistance to affected families.
Notably, the procedures were restarted under the guidance of Dr Manzoor Ahmad Latoo under the mentorship of Prof (Dr) Alok Thakar, Head of ENT at AIIMS, New Delhi—(KNO)