Maxillofacial surgeries should come under Aarogyasri: Doctors

Visakhapatnam: Maxillofacial surgeons (dealing with surgeries of the face and mouth) point out that such super-specialised surgeries need to be included under YSR Aarogyasri scheme as their costs range from a few thousands to over a lakh of rupees.

Despite representations to health authorities by doctors, complex dental procedures and maxillofacial surgeries have not been included in the Aarogyasri scheme. There are around 1,200 maxillofacial surgeons in AP.

Speaking to TOI, president-elect of AP Association of Maxillofacial Surgeons of India (AP-AOMSI), Dr Sivanagendra Reddy said, “The MDS in Oral and Maxillofacial surgical procedure is a three-year separate specialty after five years of BDS. A maxillofacial surgeon performs the surgical procedures of the oral cavity, facial bones and soft tissues. The syllabus and training is imparted as per Dental Council of India (DCI) norms.”

Although the procedure is included under Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ayushman Bharat, Employees Health Scheme (EHS) and even under Aarogyasri at Tamil Nadu, the same is not covered under Aarogyasri in AP. “Since the last six months, we are trying to get it included in the Aarogyasri scheme for which we have given representations to the state health minister and irrigation minister, CEO of Aarogyasri and other authorities but we have not been given any assurance or information with this regard,” added the doctor.

Since, the surgeries deal with fine bones of the face, like jaws and cheeks as in cases of facial trauma or cleft lip and palette, the delicate surgery can cost anything between Rs 15,000-Rs 1 lakh, which is a burden on patients. In such a scenario, the procedure needs to be included under Aarogyasri, averred Dr Reddy.