2.50 lakh surgeries performed under comprehensive surgery package programme

by Haryananewswire

CHANDIGARH, DEC 11

 Under comprehensive surgery package programme being implemented by Haryana Health Department  to provide  affordable and hassle free quality surgeries, about 2.50 lakh surgeries have so far been performed under this programme since its introduction on July 1,2009. Out of these surgeries,  more than  1.68 lakh have been conducted free of cost.

          While stating this here today, a spokesman of Haryana Health Department said that under this programme, cost effective surgeries were being conducted at district level Government hospitals in the State. He said that the package included all pre-test investigations, blood testing charges, intra-operative and post-operative medicines and consumables in addition to any special investigation  like ECHO and CT Scan, if required, for the purpose of the surgery.

          The operations that are conducted free of cost for all  patients included  caesarian operations, all eye surgeries and  cleft lip surgeries. This scheme is very popular and has obviated the need for run around for medicines and consumables and has enhanced transparency and accountability. Now the hospitals have to   maintain uninterrupted supply chains, fix surgeries strictly as per priority list and ensure availability and productivity on the part of both doctors and paramedical staff. Charges fixed for surgery are highly affordable and are nominal in comparison to the rates of private hospitals. For instance, surgery for Herniotomy is done in a State Government hospital at a rate of Rs 3,000 whereas in private hospitals one would have to pay Rs.13000 for this kind of surgery. Similarly, for Appendiectomy, one has to pay only Rs 3500 in a State Government hospital as against Rs 15,000 in a private hospital.

The scheme has resulted in a substantial drop in rates charged by private hospitals. He said that to ensure effective implementation of the scheme, specialist  doctors were appointed in district hospitals which included surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, gynecologists, eye/ENT surgeons and anesthetists. Systems to empower the hospitals to provide supplies were put in place. A corpus that afforded flexibility to the hospital to receive and spend money was created. Hospitals were allowed to use the revenue  for upgradation of facilities for patients and professional development of doctors.