Serious allegation of discrimination against Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries at AIIMS Jodhpur

According to an ABP News report, serious questions have been raised regarding the implementation of government health schemes in the functioning of AIIMS, Jodhpur. It has been alleged that instead of providing free treatment to eligible patients under the Ayushman scheme, they are being pressured to purchase a private implant costing approximately ₹1,30,000. Bhera Ram, a resident of village Panchla Khurd in Tivri tehsil of Jodhpur district, has submitted a written complaint to the CMHO and demanded strict action against the AIIMS administration.

According to the victim, he is undergoing treatment for bilateral hip replacement in Unit-1 of the Orthopedics Department at AIIMS Jodhpur. He claims that although he is an eligible beneficiary of the Chief Minister Ayushman Arogya Scheme, he is not receiving the benefits of treatment under the scheme. Bhera Ram stated in his complaint that in the year 2024 as well, he was asked to purchase a private implant worth approximately ₹90,000. Due to financial difficulties, he could not get the operation done at that time. Now, upon returning for treatment, the price of the implant has been increased and shown as ₹1,30,000.

The victim alleges that doctors are questioning the quality of implants available under the government scheme and labeling them as inferior. This has created a dilemma for the patient of either availing the benefit of the government scheme or spending a large amount from his own pocket. According to Bhera Ram, if a patient is willing to pay privately, they are promised an operation date within a week. When treatment under the Ayushman scheme is demanded, the process is dragged out. Despite receiving fitness clearances from the cardiology and anesthesia departments, new tests were repeatedly prescribed and he was made to wait by being given operation dates in different months from August to November.

According to the information that has come to light in this entire matter, a total of 711 hip and knee replacement surgeries were performed at AIIMS Jodhpur in the year 2025-26. Out of these, information has emerged that only a single patient received the benefit of the government health scheme. This means that the remaining 710 patients had to undergo treatment by purchasing implants at private expenses or from the market. The complaint also claims that due to the absence of a rate contract for the procurement of implants in the institution, Ayushman scheme patients are not getting its benefits. If these figures are true, it is a major question mark on the effective implementation of government health schemes.

The victim states that he had given a written complaint to the AIIMS Superintendent on September 18, 2026, which has the dispatch number 420. However, no reply was received for a long time. After this, he also registered a complaint on CPGRAMS and the Rajasthan Sampark portal 181, the grievance number of which is 102638929245139. The CMHO office issued letter number 698 demanding clarification from the AIIMS administration by October 29, 2026. The complainant alleges that despite the lapse of the stipulated time, the AIIMS administration has not given any reply.

Bhera Ram has demanded from the CMHO that an impartial inquiry be conducted into the entire matter and if the allegations are proven true, legal and punitive action be taken against the responsible officers. Along with this, he should be provided the facility of free surgery under the Ayushman scheme. The victim has warned that if a solution is not found soon, he will take this matter to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The big question now is why an eligible patient is being forced to spend ₹1.30 lakh for their rightful treatment when the government is spending crores of rupees to provide excellent treatment to poor and needy patients. However, the statement of the AIIMS administration in this entire matter is yet to come.