Gandhi Hospital performs 6 knee replacement surgeries in a day

Hyderabad: Six knee replacement surgeries were performed on patients with advanced arthritis of the knee at Gandhi Hospital in a single day on 18 May, from 9:30 a.m to 3:30 p.m.

According to the Telangana health department, such surgeries, which previously caused a lot of financial burden to those of lower socioeconomic status, are now being done in huge numbers for free over the last two months under the Ayushman Bharat and Arogyasri schemes.

The surgical team, headed by Dr. Valya, was supported by the anaesthesia team led by Dr. Baby Rani and the nursing staff. The patients are now in a stable condition and are walking satisfactorily.

Telangana health minister T. Harish Rao on 6 May had announced that knee replacement surgeries will now be done in all district hospitals. The surgery costs Rs. 2.5 to Rs. 3 lakh in private hospitals. The minister said, "Now, there is no need for people suffering from knee problems to go to Osmania and Gandhi hospitals in Hyderabad or corporate hospitals. Under the instructions of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, facilities to perform knee replacement surgeries have been set up in government hospitals in all district headquarters. Patients can now save time and money by availing of these facilities."

The procedure was performed on three people, including two farmers. The state government is spending around Rs. 95,000 for the procedure on one patient.