Lok Sabha Question No. 649 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-06
Subject: Free Cochlear Implant Surgeries
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: BALKA SUMAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTR Y OF SOCIAL JUSTICE& EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 649 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2018

## Frec Cochlear Implant Surgeries

## 649. SHRI SUMAN BALKA:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has   failed to meet the target of conducting 500 free cochlear implant  surgeries under a National  scheme  for poor hearing-disabled children and if the details and the reasons thereof; SO,
- (6) whether the Government plans to increase the target of 500 Implant Surgeries per year to at least 700 and if the details thereof; SO,
- whether the Government plans to revise or relax the criteria of income ceiling for the beneficiaries and if the details thereof; SO,
- d) whether the Government proposes to formulate detailed guidelines to ensure post surgery follow-up and functioning of the implant; speedy repair of device in case of a fault technical o otherwise; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment (SHRI KRISHAN PAL GURJAR)

## ANSWER

(a): The Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fittings of Aids/Appliances (ADIP) implemented by the Ministry provides for  Cochlear Implant surgery for 500 children per year with hearing impairment;, with a ceiling of Rs. 6.00 lakh per unit; The Ministry has  approved   empanelment of 172  Hospitals  (both  Government and  Private) for Cochlear Implant surgery across the country. being

The Programme was launched on a pilot basis in December; 2014. Apart from funding by the Government of India, Corporate Sector is also coming forward to support the Cochlear Implant Program of the Government; So far 1063 (ADIP 876 + CSR 187) Cochlear Implant surgeries have been successfully conducted across the country.

Apart from cochlear implant; funds under ADIP Scheme are utilized for providing aids and assistive devices for all types of disabilities; Therefore, number of cochlear implant surgeries each year depends upon availability of funds under the Scheme.

(b) & (c): The ADIP Scheme was last  revised w.e.f. 01.04.2014 on 01.04.2017. There is no such proposal under the consideration of the Government

(d) & (e): Ali Yavar National Institute of Speech & Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan) (AYNNISHD), Mumbai is the nodal agency for Cochlear Implant surgery and rehabilitation: AYJNISHD has framed   guidelines for   post-operative rehabilitation of Cochlear   Implant beneficiaries: All-India Coordinator (Post-Cochlear Implant) and respective Zonal Coordinators establish and maintain contact with the parents of each beneficiary to ensure that are enrolled for intervention; Jung they regular regular

Procurement of Cochlear Implants is made by Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), Kanpur; Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry: In the terms and conditions for supply of Cochlear Implants, there is warranty provision for replacementhrepair of the Cochlear Implant by the as indicated below: supplier

- a) Cochlear Implant 10 Year from the date of surgery including surgery cost shall be borne by the in case 0f failure supplier
- 6) External components excluding cables; 03 years from the date of switching on of Cochlear Implant: