Aastha Health Care Successfully Operates 50 Obesity and Diabetes Patients on Interest-Free Loans for Bariatric Surgery

MUMBAI, December 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

In an innovative manner to help obese patients lose weight, Aastha Health Care, Mumbai in association with finance partner, Arogya Finance has offered patients zero percent interest loan for Bariatric surgery. The Bariatric Patient EMI/Loan initiative is taken to help those obese patients financially who are in dire need of the surgery but cannot afford or do not want to spend the entire amount at one time. The interest of the finance or cost of the loan is borne by Aastha Health Care. Together they have been able to offer this benefit to 50 obese patients.

Earlier, obesity was considered a disease of the classes, today it has become a disease of the masses.

"Unlike common perception, Bariatric surgery is actually a life-saving procedure, which not only helps obese patients live a normal and healthy life, but also improves diabetes status. Considering the rising incidence of morbid obesity and a parallel rise in requirement of Bariatric surgery or metabolic surgery, this initiative will certainly give a chance to millions of people across the country to lose weight and live a normal life. We aim to 'Gift A Life' to obese patients by providing interest-free loans and payment in easy instalments," says Dr. Manish Motwani, Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgeon at Aastha Health Care.

With zero percent interest rate, Bariatric patients can convert their medical bills into an interest-free EMI loan. This is the first instance of extending a patient loan for Bariatric procedures in the country.

"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 medical complications like diabetes, hypertension etc. which are associated with obesity. Bariatric surgery is a boon for people who have not been able to lose weight by conventional methods such as diet, exercise, weight loss pills etc. This initiative of payment in installments can assist and support to take the decision of their life to get operated for Bariatric Surgery. In the past 8 months, we have operated more than 50 patients under this initiative and all of them are extremely happy with their new found confidence and personality," says Dr. Manish.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 20 to 40% of the adult population and 10 to 20% of children in India are affected by obesity and as far Bariatric surgeries are concerned, only around 13000 are performed every year. This is just <0.01% of the total patient population.

Medical records reveal that around 20% drop outs in Bariatric surgery cases happen because of financial problems. This simply means the EMI option for Bariatric surgery at interest-free rate will be a big help for those patients who are suffering from obesity and having issues regarding affordability.

Though there are many surgeries under Bariatric surgery, most commonly performed Bariatric surgeries are (also called Weight Loss Surgery): Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, Laparoscopic Bypass and Mini Gastric bypass. While the three procedures are a little different and are suggested based on the patient's extent of obesity and lifestyle habits, the stomach size is reduced in all the cases, which in turn reduces the food intake and helps in weight loss.

These laparoscopic scar less bariatric surgeries are extremely helpful in reducing and improving co-morbid conditions like diabetes and other weight related issues, however use of advanced technology and technique sometimes make the procedure expensive for the patient.

Through this loan option, the patient can take a loan up to INR 4.5 lakhs and pay in 12 installments at 0% interest rate. Experts believe that this facility will help bridge the huge gap between the requirement of Bariatric surgery and actual number of people getting the benefit of bariatric or weight-loss surgery. 

While the zero percent interest Bariatric Patient Loan presents a lucrative option to the patients, experts believe that it is important that the doctors, who eventually recommend the Bariatric surgery, are also informed about the policy so that they could suggest the same to the patients.

Says Mrs. Savitri Kulkarni - a Bariatric Surgery operated patient, "A few months back, I weighed 109 kgs; I wasn't able to lose weight despite multiple attempts and had been considering to get bariatric surgery done for almost two years. However I couldn't arrange the money for the surgery. I was introduced to a finance company through Dr. Manish Motwani who was willing to give us an interest-free loan EMI option. This was a life changer for me, I was able to get operated and get the option of paying only 1/3rd amount at the time of surgery and the remaining in interest-free EMIs."

There are many patients who have benefited from this EMI payment option. This becomes even more critical considering the #cashcrisis. While we may not have control over the scenario in banks and outside ATMs, we can definitely take a decision today to stay healthy and fit always. Health truly is wealth today.

About Motwani Charitable Trust:

Motwani Charitable Trust along with Aastha Health Care have been carrying out various social need-based and community-based activities which have been transforming the lives of many around since many decades. There have been various noteworthy projects, which have been carried out by Motwani Charitable Trust since its inception like tree plantations, child education and care for underprivileged and specially-abled children, along with providing monthly ration to 30 poor widows, arranging and organizing polio immunization camps in Adivasi villages, cataract surgery camps, and also health awareness camps etc. We also have been taking a lead in spreading awareness for Obesity and Diabetes across the country. We plan to start an Elder's home for disabled and bed-ridden adults.

Media Contact:
Twinkle Haria
Bariatric Nutritionist
Aastha Health Care
[email protected]
+91-8454036555