Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 30
Although Nagaland has high number of patients suffering from kidney ailments, there is not a single Urologist. This shortcoming has made patients to throng to hospitals in other cities of the country, resulting high expenses. Therefore, seeing the need, the Christian institute of Health Sciences & Research (CIHSR) in association with Madras Medical Mission (MMM) has been offering urological services to the people of Nagaland since August 2011. Dr Abraham Kurien, an Urologist from MMM has just concluded a four-day camp in Dimapur and more than 70 urological surgeries have been carried out in this and previous camps. He was assisted Dr Temsula Alinger, MS (General Surgery) of CIHSR.
It was informed that CIHSR is hoping to collaborate with MMM in other specialities such as cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery and nephrology. MMM is recognised nationally and internationally for their yeomen services in these specializations.
Addressing the media, Dr Robin Thambudorai, Hepatobiliary Surgery said Dr Temsula have been undertaking most of the minor urological surgeries at CIHSR. However, a specialist is needed to handle complicated cases. He said due to lack of services, many patients turn their options to hospitals in Kolkata, Guwahati, Chennai, New Delhi etc, spending a minimum of Rs 1.3 to Rs 3 lakhs excluding the travelling and other miscellaneous expenses. However, during the camp at CIHSR most of the patients have spent less than Rs 30,000.
The surgeries performed included complex lapariscopic and endo-urological procedures – Laparoscopic Nephrectomy, Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy, Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy and Transurethral resection of prostate and bladder tumours.
Dr Abraham Kurien performed Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy, June 27, on a 41-year-old man who had been suffering from hypertension (high blood pressure) and Hypokalemia (low potassium levels) because of a tumour on the adrenal gland. This condition is known as Conn’s Syndrome. A traditional Adrenalectomy requires a 20 to 25 cm incision along with removal of a rib, which causes discomfort and pain to the patient after the operation and is compelled to stay in hospital for 10 to 12 days. However Laparoscopic procedure is done through four incisions i.e. keyhole surgery, that a patient recovers rapidly. Dr Kurien had performed seven surgeries in just three days.
Dr Robin said that such camps will be conducted in future and CIHSR is planning to bring all services so that people are treated with no worries for financial constraints. “World class services at cheaper rate”. Also, Dr Robin said CIHSR has been tending patients from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and even “your own Naga brothers from Burma”. On the same issue, Dr Kurien said CIHSR will treat the poor and needy with the help of latest technology equipments, stating that “everyone deserves equal medical treatment”.
Queried on how many surgeries they can perform in four-day camp, Dr Robin said around 20 to 25 surgeries. However, he said: “We will not compromise on safety and result in hurried operations that go bad.” He said CIHSR needs a fulltime Urologist but it is very difficult to find a doctor with that specialisation, adding that the solution is not about brining doctors from outside Nagaland but the solution is to get a Naga Urologist or to train Naga doctors on that subject so that “patients don’t go out of Nagaland for treatment.”
Concerning other departments, Dr Temsula said CIHSR has engaged a permanent Neurologist, Dr Tony Abraham from CMC Vellore. He joined the hospital on December 2011 and has handled four successful cases.
In regard to the camps conducted, she said it was not highly advertised since it would be difficult to handle so many patients. Dr Robin also said if patients come with high hopes and if the doctors are unable to deliver the services it would disappoint them. Until manpower is increased risk cannot be taken, however, they are trying to deliver the best services to patients. “We have to train people here,” he added.
