AIIMS has told the Delhi High Court that though it provides free treatment to patients, it does not supply costly implants required in operations like hip and knee replacement surgeries due to "budgetary constraints". The response of the premier hospital came on a petition filed by 38-year-old Sarvesh who suffers from Reiter's disease and seeks "free of cost" bilateral hip and knee replacement surgeries. The implants will cost him around Rs 8 lakhs for treatment of reactive arthritis which is classified as an autoimmune condition that may develop in response to an infection in another part of the body.
"It must be noted here that the above stated implants are not provided by AIIMS in view of budgetary constraints and the information regarding the above situation was also conveyed to the applicant (Sarvesh)," the affidavit, filed by AIIMS before Justice Vibhu Bakhru, said, adding the implants, which may cost around Rs 8 lakhs, have to be procured by the patient. The hospital said such patients can approach the Centre and the state government for financial assistance.
"It is also relevant to mention here that Non-Plan budget of hospital used for procurement of materials and supplies including medicines, surgical items etc. for the hospital inpatients is barely sufficient to ensure procurement of general use items (cleaning materials, linen, stationary) and common emergency medicines and surgical items for hospitalised patients. "Further, it is not possible nor practical to provide such costly items like implants etc. to all patients from the available hospital budget," the affidavit said, adding that the funds received from the government are not sufficient to perform "high-class expensive surgeries" at AIIMS.
Earlier, the High Court had issued notice to the Centre and AIIMS on the plea of Sarvesh seeking free treatment at the hospital for his autoimmune disease which requires surgery. Sarvesh, who used to work as a casual labourer, has moved the High Court as he has been left crippled and immobile because of the ailment and urgently requires a hip and knee replacement surgery.
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