Gaya: The cancellation of ration cards during a verification drive in Gaya district has left several kidney patients struggling to continue dialysis treatment at government hospitals, where the cards are used to access free healthcare services.
Officials said at least 15 critically ill patients were affected after their ration cards were declared invalid, making them ineligible for dialysis support linked to ration and Ayushman Bharat cards.
Among those affected are Arvind Singh, Mahendra Prasad, Maya Devi and Mani Kumar, all of whom are now facing increased medical expenses.
Rising treatment costs
Arvind Singh, a dialysis patient at Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital (ANMMCH), said he had previously received treatment free of cost. Following the cancellation of his ration card, each dialysis session now costs around Rs 2,500.
“Monthly expenses have risen to Rs 40,000-50,000. I have already sold land and my wife’s jewellery for treatment. The only option left is mortgaging my house,” Singh said.
Doctors treating him have reportedly advised that regular dialysis could extend his life by another 10 to 15 years.
Hospitals cite policy limitations
Chandan Kumar, in-charge of the dialysis centre at Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital, said hospitals are unable to provide free dialysis without valid documentation.
“Patients come to us in financial distress, but the system does not allow free treatment without a valid ration or Ayushman card,” he said.
Dialysis services in Bihar are being operated jointly by the state government and Apollo Hospitals across multiple public health facilities.
Verification errors acknowledged
Ejaz Ahmad, operations manager at Apollo Hospitals, said 180 dialysis machines are operational in government hospitals across 19 districts. Of the 1,115 patients currently receiving dialysis, around 1,050 had been accessing the service free through ration or Ayushman cards.
Gaya district supply officer Ashok Kumar Chaudhary acknowledged “departmental errors” in the verification process. He said individuals with annual incomes above Rs 1.6 lakh were classified as ineligible, though some genuine beneficiaries were also affected.
Chaudhary said affected residents could apply online for restoration of their ration cards, adding that 10 of the 15 identified patients had already had their documents updated.
