Ayushman Bharat Patient Receives Jaw Tumor Surgery at AIIMS After Prolonged Wait
A 32-year-old beneficiary of the Ayushman Bharat health scheme from Faridabad, Haryana, has successfully undergone tumor removal and initial jaw reconstruction at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. The patient, identified as Dolly Mandal, had been surviving on a liquid diet for nearly two months while awaiting financial clearance for the critical procedure, highlighting concerns over delays in government health fund sanctions.
Medical Urgency Addressed Amid Funding Delays
Dolly Mandal approached AIIMS with a jaw tumor that necessitated surgical intervention to prevent further deterioration and restore essential functions such as chewing and facial structure. As an Ayushman Bharat beneficiary, she was dependent on the scheme for funding, but the approval process caused a significant wait, during which her health was compromised due to difficulty in eating solid foods.
Prof Rima Dada, the media cell in-charge at AIIMS, confirmed that the patient was admitted and operated upon to address the urgent medical need. "Initial reconstruction was completed," she stated, emphasizing that the hospital acted promptly once the case was prioritized. The treating doctor explained that in many similar cases, patients can function adequately with initial reconstruction and may not require more advanced secondary procedures.
Treatment Details and Patient Stability
According to hospital officials, the tumor removal was medically necessary to protect normal jaw function and halt further health decline. The required reconstruction was performed as part of the same surgical procedure, aligning with the established treatment plan. AIIMS reported that the patient is now stable post-surgery.
The doctor added, "Final or advanced reconstruction is considered only if required and subject to availability of funds," underscoring the ongoing challenges in healthcare financing under government schemes. This case has raised broader questions about the efficiency of fund sanctioning processes and their impact on patient well-being.
Background and Implications
Dolly Mandal's ordeal began when she sought treatment for the jaw tumor, which impaired her ability to chew, forcing her onto a liquid diet for an extended period. The delay in financial clearance under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, designed to provide health coverage to economically vulnerable populations, sparked concerns about systemic bottlenecks affecting timely medical care.
This incident underscores the critical need for streamlined approval mechanisms in public health initiatives to ensure that beneficiaries receive prompt and effective treatment without undue hardship.
