Jahangir Sofi
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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).
