*Pressure mounts after surgeries halted in pvt hospitals under Sehat Scheme
Govind Sharma
JAMMU, June 30: In Jammu, patients are facing a three-month-long wait to undergo gallbladder, appendix and piles treatment surgeries at Government Medical College (GMC), as the burden on Government hospitals has sharply increased following the suspension of these surgeries under the Ayushman Bharat Sehat Scheme in private hospitals.
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Until recently, surgeries such as cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder), haemorrhoidectomy (haemorrhoid), sphincterotomy (fissure), and appendectomy (appendix) were commonly performed in empanelled private hospitals under the ABS scheme. However, from March 15, 2025, these surgeries came to a halt in private hospitals after the Government removed these surgical procedures from the Ayushman Bharat Sehat Scheme.
A significant number of patients, who previously relied on private hospitals for timely operations, are now flooding into Government hospitals. This sudden increase in patient load, combined with limited surgical slots, has forced Government hospital administrations to prioritize only emergency cases.
A senior doctor at GMC Jammu noted that even before the current crisis, the surgical department was operating under intense pressure. Two major operation theaters at GMC already run continuously for 15 to 16 hours a day, yet are now struggling to manage the additional influx of patients.
According to the doctor, patients with gallbladder stone conditions are now being given dates that are 10 to 12 weeks away, despite their growing discomfort and risk of complications. He added that lifestyle and dietary changes are contributing to a rise in gallbladder-related ailments. However, the Ayushman Bharat Sehat Scheme does not cover surgeries for conditions such as piles, hernia, or appendix in its approved list of 60 to 70 treatments. As a result, patients suffering from these issues have no option but to turn to already overloaded Government hospitals.
Rajeshwar Kumar, a resident of Bohri, shared that he has been suffering from gallbladder stones for several months. After consulting doctors at GMC, he was advised to undergo surgery, but due to the long waiting list, he was given an appointment nearly two months later. His family fears that this prolonged delay could worsen his condition and potentially lead to the spread of infection in his body.
In another case, Om Prakash from RS Pura said he has been suffering from piles for a long time and had approached GMC in hope of availing surgery under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. However, he was informed that this surgery is not covered. Due to his poor financial condition, he cannot afford treatment in a private hospital and remains without medical relief.
Principal, GMC Jammu, Dr Ashutosh Gupta confirmed that the suspension of these surgeries in private hospitals has significantly increased the burden on institutions like GMC. “While the hospital staff is doing its best to manage the rush, the withdrawal of these procedures from the scheme has created a bottleneck in ensuring swift and hassle-free surgical care,” he said.
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