MYH crisis deepens under Ayushman Scheme:Implant shortage halts surgeries for 10 days

The Ayushman Bharat scheme claims that under this government initiative, poor patients can get free treatment worth up to ₹5 lakh, but in government hospitals, patients are facing significant difficulties in getting treatment. Implant shortage again halts surgeries at MY Hospital At MY Hospital, the orthopaedics department has once again run out of implants, due to which no operations under the Ayushman scheme have been possible for the last 10 days. It is being reported that the authorised agency has not received pending payments, while after the expiry of the tender period the new process could not be completed, due to which the company has stopped supplying implants. This administrative delay is directly affecting patients. Patients and their relatives are seen struggling inside the hospital premises while waiting for operations. In one case, a patient’s surgery has been pending for the last 15 days. The most important concern is that despite a long list of empanelled hospitals, basic resources are not being provided on time in government hospitals. Such a situation has occurred several times before as well. Poor patients are referred to MYH for orthopaedic surgeries, but due to the non-availability of implants, surgeries keep getting postponed repeatedly. Hospital superintendent’s statement Hospital Superintendent Dr. Ashok Yadav said that he has received information about the surgeries not being conducted. He stated that the tender process has to be done at the medical college level and the process is ongoing. Meanwhile, tenders are being carried out across the state through the Medical Corporation. According to officials, non-payment to the agency under the Ayushman scheme has also affected supply. Patients not being informed about alternatives Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, around 15 to 20 hospitals in the city provide orthopaedic surgery facilities. Patients can also get treatment in private hospitals if arrangements are not available at MYH, but they are not even being informed about this. They remain admitted in the hospital and continue waiting for implants to arrive. Bhaskar Insight – MYH patients face issues every year under Ayushman scheme 1. 2023–24 (out-of-pocket burden): Several complaints were reported that Ayushman scheme patients were asked to bring surgical items such as gloves, syringes and bandages from outside. These were supposed to be provided free of cost, but due to budget shortages and pending payments to vendors, the burden fell on patients. 2. December 2024 (testing problems): Ayushman cardholders faced major issues when CT scan and MRI machines remained non-functional for a long time. Despite having valid cards, patients were sent to private centres where they had to pay in cash because the reimbursement process was complicated. 3. July 2025 (previous crisis): About 8–9 months ago, a similar situation arose. At that time, department head Dr. Kundan Kushwah had written to the administration stating that implant shortages were delaying surgeries of poor patients. The administration then released ₹10 lakh as temporary relief.