Question : Cataract Surgery under Ayushman Bharat Yojana

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether cataract is a major health issue across the country due to the working condition in mines industry etc. and if so, the details thereof along with the major causes of cataract;

(b) the number of patients treated for cataract under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana;

(c) whether the Government is planning to withdraw cataract surgeries from the Ayushman Bharat Yojana and if so, the reasons therefor; and

(d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken to continue the facilities for the same under the said scheme?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House













STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 175* FOR 29TH NOVEMBER, 2019

(a) As per the findings of the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment survey (2015-19) conducted under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Cataract is the leading cause of blindness accounting for 66.2% of the total blindness in the Country.

No Blindness survey has been conducted separately under NPCBVI on the people working in the mine industry. Hence, no data is available on the prevalence of cataract in the people working in mines industry separately.

Cataract is primarily age related disease, prevalent in 50 plus age group population. The major causes for occurrence of cataract are:
i. Older age
ii. Use of cortico steroid drugs/eye drops
iii. High blood pressure
iv. Diabetes
v. too much sun exposure
vi. Previous eye injuries

(b) As on 21.11.2019, the total number of patients treated for cataract under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) are 2,63,974.
(c) & (d) At present, treatment for cataract is available under AB-PMJAY and beneficiaries are being treated for cataract in the empanelled hospitals.