Free Treatment Relief for Needy Patients in Yeola, Maharashtra
Nearly 4,500 patients have received free treatment and operations at Aniruddh Hospital in Yeola, Nashik district, Maharashtra, under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, widely known as Ayushman Bharat. The scheme is providing much-needed support to financially vulnerable patients who would otherwise struggle to afford medical care.
Several beneficiaries said the scheme allowed them to avoid spending their savings on costly surgeries.
Dr. Tushar Salunkhe said the hospital has carried out a large number of free operations under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. According to him, the scheme has been of special help to people who lacked enough money to pay for treatment. Eligible patients are offered free medical services up to about five lakh rupees each year.
Abhishek Dattatray, who belongs to Tehsildar village in Nashik district, shared his personal experience. He was facing a kidney stone problem. Relatives told him about Aniruddh Hospital, which performs kidney stone surgeries free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Abhishek reached the hospital after getting the details, and the doctors performed his operation. He did not have to pay anything for the treatment. He estimated that a similar surgery elsewhere could have cost him between 70,000 rupees and one lakh rupees. He also thanked the doctors and staff for their cooperation.
A woman patient said she had a lump in her stomach. She found out that the hospital offers free operations under the government scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After a medical check-up, the doctors operated on her, and she paid nothing. She said that treatment elsewhere could have cost lakhs of rupees. In her view, the government scheme ensured free treatment and eased the financial pressure on her family.
Another woman said her daughter needed an operation estimated to cost about one lakh rupees. She came to know about free surgeries under the scheme at Aniruddh Hospital and took her daughter there. The operation was done under the scheme. She said her daughter received good care and the scheme brought her a lot of relief.
Dr. Salunkhe said the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana covers around 2,500 types of surgeries. The scheme includes treatment for several major diseases, and eligible patients get medical care free of charge. He added that free food is also made available to patients under the scheme.
He said the scheme has helped people who could not afford treatment earlier. He urged the public to learn about the scheme and avail its benefits if they are eligible. He also expressed hope that the scheme's reach would grow in the future so that more deserving people can get medical treatment.