TRS MP bats for bariatric treatment under Aarogyasri

​Hyderabad: Lok Sabha MP and noted surgeon Dr Boora Narsaiah Goud stressed on the need to cover Bariatric treatment under Aarogyasri scheme due to considerable increase of obese cases over the last decade. He added that it is covered under CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) and also in States like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka included it in government health insurance schemes.

Dr Goud said that obesity is not just confined to elite sections and even people from lower income groups and poor financial backgrounds are affected by overweight issues, due to hormone and genetic issues, post pregnancy and eating habits.

“Overweight problem if not addressed would lead to high BP, diabetes, heart and knee surgeries at later stages, most of which are covered under government insurance for the poor. If bariatric surgery is brought into its ambit, costs on later surgeries could be saved easily bringing relief to the individual and also to government,” the MP said. 

The MP was addressing media here on Saturday. The cost of a bariatric surgery ranges from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 3.5 lakh. Further, he stated that there are misconceptions in public that bariatric surgery is a cosmetic surgery which is not. It is like any other operation for heart, knee etc. and clinically recommended procedure for reducing weight for anyone in 18 to 70 years age group. The risk involved is 0.01 per cent and bariatric surgery is like a “Zinda Tilismath” for curing all other ailments, Dr Goud said.

It is learnt that the State government employees have requested higher ups to include this in Aarogyasri scheme. Dr Goud helped city-based Samiuddin Sajid, 56, a businessman, lose a staggering 125 kg in the last two years. The gentleman was 210 kilograms in April 2016, when he underwent bariatric surgery at Star Hospitals and after two-years of treatment and controlled diet (protein rich, low fat etc) his weight has now come down to 85 kg.

He said losing 125 kg was no mean feat. Samiuddin said he was suffering from obesity, breathlessness, sleeplessness, arthritis, difficulty in walking before the operation and now under post-surgery and treatment most of his health worries had gone.