THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, April 30: A critical hernia operation costs a patient a minimum of Rs 1.50 lakh at a corporate hospital. However, a team of doctors at Ranchi Super Specialty Sadar Hospital performed the same for a poor woman free of cost through the laparoscopic method under the Ayushman Bharat health scheme.
The patient, Sunita Devi (43), a resident of Chutia (Ranchi), had been suffering from recurrent hernia complications for the last four years. In 2020, she had her first operation at a private hospital, which failed.
She again went to the same private hospital, where doctors refused to take the case. The poor patient consulted several private hospitals but returned disappointed because the cost ( minimum Rs 1.50 lakh) was beyond her pocket.
Laparoscopic surgery department
Finally, on a doctor’s suggestion, Sunita Devi consulted Dr Ajit Kumar of the laparoscopic surgery department of Sadar Hospital.
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Anterior abdominal wall
“When we got her CT scan, a large defect of size approx 7.0 cm was found in the anterior abdominal wall at the infraumbilical region through which bowel loops and omental fat herniating out. Bowel loops showed normal mucosal enhancement. No evidence of bowel obstruction. Herinating bowel loops were extending towards the left side,” said Dr Ajit Kumar.
Having seen the CT scan report, a team from the laparoscopic surgery department under surgeon Dr Ajit Kumar decided to operate on her free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The team included Dr Dipak Kumar, Dr Vikash Ballabh (anaesthetic), OT assistant Sandip Kumar, Nandani Shashi, Mukesh, Sister Poonam, Sushil, Sarita, and Mohit.
“Doctors of Sadar Hospital gave her a new lease on life as the pain of recurrent hernia was unbearable, and I could not afford Rs 1.50 lakh to get an operation through the laparoscopic method. Doctors did it free of cost, and I am returning home walking,” said Sunita Devi, the patient.
Laparoscopic surgeon Dr Ajit Kumar
Laparoscopic surgeon Dr Ajit Kumar said that Sadar Hospital’s civil surgeon, deputy superintendent, and management helped us immensely in performing critical operations.