Kamal Kumar Biswas.TOD.Balurghat
A woman injured in an accident has undergone surgery at Balurghat District Hospital under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance programme, marking what hospital officials described as the first such procedure at the facility using the scheme.The woman, Nurjahan Bibi, a resident of Balurghat, was admitted to the district hospital earlier this week after an accident left her with a fracture in the bone just below the shoulder. After examining her, doctors decided that the damaged area required surgery and that a plate should be inserted to stabilise the bone.The hospital arranged for the necessary surgical equipment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, with the cost covered through the patient’s Ayushman card.
A hospital official said the procedure represented an important step for the district hospital. The authorities are now planning to establish a dedicated Ayushman ward, which is expected to expand the range of services available to patients covered by the government health programme.Initially, patients from three departments — obstetrics, orthopaedics and ophthalmology — are expected to be admitted to the proposed ward.Hospital officials said that, until now, a lack of specialised equipment and adequate infrastructure had sometimes forced doctors to refer patients to other hospitals for treatment. With the Ayushman Bharat programme helping cover the cost of essential medical equipment and treatment, the hospital expects to perform a greater number of procedures locally.The move could reduce the need for patients to travel elsewhere for treatment, particularly for those who qualify for government-funded care.
To make the scheme easier to access, the district hospital has also opened a dedicated registration counter for Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries. Patients can complete the required formalities there and receive assistance in accessing services under the programme.The hospital’s broader plan is to use the health insurance scheme not only to subsidise treatment but also to strengthen its own medical infrastructure. Officials say the expansion of equipment, wards and services could allow the district hospital to handle more complex cases and increase the number of surgeries performed there.For patients in Balurghat and surrounding areas, the changes are intended to bring government-supported treatment closer to home — reducing both the financial burden of medical care and the need for referrals outside the district.
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