Hyderabad: NIMS Doctors Perform Heart Transplant Surgery on Woman Free of Cost

Hyderabad: The doctors at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) successfully performed a heart transplant surgery on a 29-year-old woman from Mulugu. Sheikh Shanaz, a resident of Eturunagaram in the Mulugu district, suffered from a severe heart condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy, which led to complications in her left ventricle over the past two years, decreasing the pumping of blood to her body. As her condition worsened, the doctors recommended a heart transplant to address the critical nature of the disease.

The patient was registered with the Jeevandan Trust, a government initiative to facilitate organ donation and transplants, where a donor heart was identified from a brain-dead patient in Yashoda Hospital, Secunderabad.

A team of doctors, led by Dr. Amareswara Rao, Head of the Cardiothoracic Department at NIMS, successfully performed the surgery.

The expenses for this surgery, which usually cost around ₹20–30 lakh in private hospitals, were covered by the Aarogyasri scheme of the Telangana government, and the patient was treated free of cost.

What is the Aarogyasri scheme?
The Aarogyasri scheme is a state government-run health insurance program in Telangana. It provides free medical treatment to eligible individuals identified as vulnerable by the government. The program covers expenses for a wide range of healthcare services, including hospitalizations, surgeries, and diagnostic tests. The Aarogyasri scheme is funded by the state government and aims to improve access to quality healthcare for citizens who might otherwise be unable to afford it.

Eligibility for the Aarogyasri Telangana scheme

Individuals must meet certain criteria to be eligible for the Aarogyasri scheme in Telangana. The program is available to the following individuals:

1. Residents of Telangana.

2. People below the poverty line or those identified as vulnerable by the government.

3. People with a valid identification card issued by the government.

4. People referred from a government hospital or primary health center.

To apply for an Aarogyasri card in Telangana:

1. Visit the Aarogyasri scheme Telangana website.

2. Click on "New Enrollment."

3. Fill in your personal details in the application form.

4. Upload scanned copies of required documents, including proof of identity, residence, and income (if applicable).

5. Submit the form and wait for verification.

Once approved, you will receive your Aarogyasri scheme card. This card allows you to access healthcare benefits under the scheme.

Medical conditions covered by the Aarogyasri scheme:

The scheme is fully funded by the government, so there is no need to pay any premiums. It covers treatment for the following medical conditions:

• Cancer treatments: Costs for chemotherapy and surgery.

• Heart conditions: Expenses for treatments like bypass surgery, angioplasty, and transplants.

• Kidney treatments: Coverage for dialysis and kidney transplants.

• Neurological conditions: Treatments for strokes and Parkinson’s disease.

• Gastrointestinal disorders: Surgeries for conditions like ulcerative colitis.

• Respiratory conditions: Treatment for asthma and COPD.

• Burn treatment

• Childcare

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sreepriya Pai/MSM)