In attempt to help obese and overweight patients who are in dire need of surgery but cannot afford it or do not want to pay the entire amount in one go, they are being offered zero per cent interest loans for bariatric surgery. The zero interest “Bariatric Patient Loan” allows patients to convert their medical bills into interest-free EMIs.
Medical records reveal that the around 20 per cent drop in bariatric surgery happens because of financial problems.
According to director and head, minimal access surgery, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Dr Ajay Kumar Kriplani, unlike the common perception, bariatric surgery is actually a life-saving procedure which not just helps obese patients live a normal and healthy life, but also remits diabetes. “Considering the rising obesity and requirement of bariatric surgery, the initiative will certainly give a chance to millions of people across the country to live a normal life,” said Dr Kriplani.
The average cost of bariatric surgery is roughly around '4 lakh. Through this loan option, a patient can take a loan of up to '4.5 lakh and pay in 12 instalments at zero per cent interest. Experts believe this facility will help bridge the huge gap between requirement of bariatric surgery and the actual number of cases being undertaken in hospitals.
Experts believe it is important that doctors who recommend bariatric surgery should also be informed about the policy so that they can suggest the same to patients.
“Such initiatives make more sense in a country like India, where one in six adults is obese and one in five adults suffers from diabetes and hypertension. It is well documented that weight-loss surgeries are extremely beneficial to help achieve long-term weight-loss goals and in improving health complications like diabetes and hypertension, associated with obesity,” added Dr Kriplani.
According to the World Health Organisation, nearly 20 per cent to 40 per cent of the adult population and 10 per cent to 20 per cent of children in India are affected by obesity but only around 13,000 bariatric surgeries are performed every year, which is just under 0.01 per cent of the total patient population.
There are mainly three types of bariatric surgery: laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic bypass, and mini gastric bypass.
While the three procedures are a little different, the stomach size is reduced in all cases, which in turn reduces food intake and helps weight loss.
