The surgery raised infrastructural challenges as the hospital had only one operation theater including for C-sections.Parassala: A government hospital has broken a medical monopoly and that too for the good.
In a first, the doctors at the Taluk hospital, Parassala successfully carried out a knee-replacement surgery for as little as Rs 55,000.
The operation was conducted on Molamma, 52, from Karunagappally, bedridden due to a debilitating case of rheumatoid arthritis.
A similar surgery at a private hospital could easily cost Rs 3 lakh.
At the Taluk hospital, the total cost of the surgery, including the expensive cobalt chromium implant was covered in Rs 55,000.
The surgery was conducted by a team of doctors led by the newly-joined ortho surgeon Dr Anil Kumar.
His team included anesthetist Dr Rejithadevi, orthopedic expert Dr Jitheesh and hospital superintendent Dr Unnikrishnan.
Molamma was under the treatment of Dr Anil Kumar at the Karunagapally Taluk hospital.
When the doctor got transferred, the patient followed suit, shifting treatment to Parassala.
The surgery raised infrastructural challenges as the hospital had only one operation theater including for C-sections.
Dr Anil Kumar said that if there are operation theaters, knee replacements and other surgeries can be held at Taluk hospitals too.
Molamma has been ridden with pain in both her legs. The right knee was operated in the first phase as it was more affected.
Once she recovers, her left knee will also be replaced, hospital sources said.
