PM-JAY scheme boots surgical procedure rates in Sgr’s tertiary care hospitals: Study

Srinagar, July 25: A study conducted at Government Medical College Srinagar and its associated hospitals empaneled under the PM-JAY scheme has revealed that the frequency of surgical procedures has significantly increased after the implementation of the GoI scheme.
The cross sectional study published in GMC Srinagar’s Journal of Integrative Medicine and Public Health (JIMPH) was conducted to determine the magnitude of medical procedures and assess change in frequency of medical procedures as a result of the scheme.
The study said that it focused on changes observed in the number of surgeries before and after the scheme’s implementation across various departments, including General Surgery, Ophthalmology, ENT, and Orthopaedics.
“Data was collected on surgical procedures performed in General Surgery, Ophthalmology, ENT and Orthopaedics during two periods: before scheme’s implementation (June 2017 to Nov 2017) and after its implementation (Dec 2021 to June 2022). Descriptive analysis was conducted to compare the frequency of procedures,” the study said.
It further said the number of ophthalmology procedures significantly increased from 2,634 before the implementation to 3,443 after the implementation of the PM-JAY scheme.
As per the study, however, the frequency of procedures in General Surgery and ENT have remained relatively stable, and Orthopaedics showed no significant change.
The data indicated an overall increase in surgical procedures under the PM-JAY scheme, particularly in areas where surgeries were previously delayed due to financial constraints.
For Orthopaedics, data were taken from July 2019 to January 2020 and April 2022 to September 2022. Additionally, data on total procedures performed under the PM-JAY scheme from January 2022 to June 2022 were included.
The findings from this study have broader implications for understanding the impact of the PM-JAY scheme on healthcare delivery in India. The increase in elective surgeries, such as those in ophthalmology, highlights the scheme’s potential to reduce unmet medical needs and improve overall health outcomes.
The study said healthcare infrastructure, availability of medical professionals, and patient awareness also play crucial roles in healthcare utilization. Future policies should consider these factors to ensure comprehensive improvements in healthcare access and quality.
The study notes that the PM-JAY scheme has positively impacted the frequency of surgical procedures, particularly in suggesting increased accessibility and financial protection for patients.
However, the stable numbers in General Surgery and ENT highlight the need for further targeted interventions to enhance the scheme’s reach and effectiveness across all departments.
It states that alongside notable increase in ophthalmology procedures, enhancements in hospital infrastructure and professional development of medical staff also played significant roles.
“The availability of advanced surgical technology and increased expertise among healthcare professionals have supported the higher volume of surgeries, ensuring effective use of the PM-JAY scheme,” it said.