With Government reducing the amount to be given for cochlear implant procedures to nearly Rs 1.5 lakh from Rs 5 lakh, the procedures came to standstill. In Nagpur alone, more than 20 patients are in the waiting list for whom the procedures are not affordable. Government has started shifting some procedures to Ayushman Bharat from Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Aarogya Yojna (MJPJAY). The amount to be given under the existing health scheme in State for cochlear implant is Rs 5 lakh. The total expenditure of the procedure comes Rs 6.5 lakh. The expenditure involves audiology test, CT, MRI, vaccination, surgery, implant and post-operative rehabilitation.

 

The procedure was included in the scheme so that the children from economically weaker families would be able to avail the benefit. It takes nearly two months to complete the documentation of one child after which the procedure is performed. Secondly, the benefits can be availed by the children having not crossed 2 years of age. The implants are supplied to Government hospitals in the State through the nodal agency Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities Divyangjan in Mumbai. GMCH and IGGMCH together have 10 to 12 children on the waiting list. There are some private hospitals too which perform the procedures. They are also not able to perform the procedures meant for poor.

 

The amount of Rs 1.5 lakh is not sufficient for performing the cochlear implant procedure. The cochlear implant in Vidarbha first began in Orange City Hospital and Research Institute. In Government set-up, IGGMCH became the first to start conducting cochlear implants in Vidarbha, then GMCH too started. Now, it is being conducted at Dr Madan Kapre’s Neeti Hospital, KIMS-Kingsway, Nelson Hospital, Maxhealthcare hospital (erstwhile Alexis Hospital), Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital (AVBRH) at Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, NKPSIMS, Shalinitai Meghe Hospital among some. 

 

The procedure of documentation for performing cochlear implant surgery takes a long time. Now, it is being said that State realised the problem of financial issue involved in cochlear implant surgery. The State is discussing the issue with Central Government from whom they get funds for the procedure. If it takes too long and if there are children who are just below the age of 2 years, then they might be deprived of the benefit if they cross that threshold. Will Government consider their time of registration and allow them to avail the benefit is a million dollar question. The cochlear implant otherwise keeps facing the problem. Earlier also the supply of cochlear implants was stopped for months together.