LUCKNOW, Sept. 20 -- King George's Medical University (KGMU) has made it mandatory for faculty members to obtain prior written approval before using imported or highly expensive medical implants for poor and underprivileged patients, including beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).

An order issued on September 10 by the office of chief medical superintendent, Gandhi Memorial and Associated Hospitals, Dr BK Ojha, directed the Hospital Revolving Fund (HRF) to provide high-quality and affordable Indian-made implants to such patients wherever suitable alternatives are available.

The order makes it clear that an imported implant cannot be issued routinely to a poor or PMJAY patient. If the treating team considers an i...