New Orthopaedic procedures start at NHAK

DIMAPUR, JANUARY 18 (MExN): The Department of Orthopaedics, Naga Hospital Authority Kohima has started surgeries of Cervical Spine (neck bones) fractures just prior to New Year 2020. For the first time such cases are being done in a Government hospital in Nagaland.

On the December 21, 2019, a patient who suffered Fracture –Dislocation of C5-C6 vertebra from Kiphire as a result of fall from height, was operated upon successfully. Another patient with similar injury at C7-T1 level was operated on January 11, 2020, a press statement issued Dr. G. Thong, HOD, Orthpaedic, Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima informed. 

In both the cases the dislocated spine was reduced and fixed with plates and screw-rod construct. The neck bones are stabilized which greatly increases the ease of nursing care and helps in early mobilization of the patients despite the paralysis of the lower limbs. Both the patients are recuperating in the hospital and will soon undergo physiotherapy and rehabilitation within the hospital under the same roof.

These delicate procedures are highly demanding in terms of skills and exposure and therefore very expensive too.  Similar cases used to be sent outside the state in the past thus incurring heavy expenses on both the patients and the government exchequer when medical reimbursements are claimed. 

Although both the patients are beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat, the lack of operating infrastructural instruments and implants mandates hiring and purchase from outside Nagaland for the said operations which escalates the treatment costs.
The surgical team was led by Dr. Gwalozu Thong and  Dr. Neilakuo Kire (Fellowship in spine),  along with Dr. Visietsolie Vupru  and Dr. Azhie Mero and the anesthetic team Dr. Angto Phom and Dr. Asheto Sema,  and the nursing team led by Sister Alem and Sister Hisule.  

The operating team has extended gratitude to the Managing Director and Medical Superintendent of NHAK for their constant support, while also earnestly requesting them to pursue the installation of a new C-ARM machine and other operating infrastructures so as to be able to deliver the best services to the public.

The support of the Government in provision of not only the surgical and allied infrastructures but also in skill upgradation of the surgeons, will go a long way in providing quality and affordable surgical care within our own home state, the press statement also stated.