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 Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. 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 imported implant medically necessary, the concerned faculty member or surgeon will have to obtain written approval from the CMS, the medical superintendent or the deputy medical superintendent before it is issued through the HRF. KGMU spokesperson Prof KK Singh said the move was aimed at ensuring that public funds are not spent on costly imported implants when comparable India-made products are available. He said KGMU was also seeking to support the "Make in India" initiative. htc...