Free Surgeries For The Poor As Part Of PPP Initiative

The Orthopaedic Department of Osmania General Hospital and Helping Hand Foundation a city-based NGO, which works with the economically weaker sections of the society in all State-run Hospitals, collaborated under a public-private partnership (PPP) to carry out joint replacement surgeries at OGH for the economically weaker sections of the society.

This program began in December 2015 and till date, 50 total joint replacement surgeries have been completed on poor patients. Dr. C. Laxma Reddy, Health Minister of TS,  expressed his appreciation for this charitable Joint Replacement Program.

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Mr Mujtaba Hasan Askari, President of Helping Hand Foundation, says, "Most of the patients who require joint replacements, and mainly total hip and knee joint replacement, are young. They are the bread earners for their families."

"Patients require joint replacements on account of osteoarthritis, bone tuberculosis, trauma and so on. Moreover, a significant number of patients are developing a dangerous condition called Avascular Necrosis", explained Dr Kodandapani, Head of the Department and Professor of Orthopaedics at Osmania General Hospital.

What Are The Risk Factors?

- Poor dietary habits

- Sedentary lifestyle

- Alcohol abuse

- Smoking and chewing tobacco

Out of the 50 patients operation upon, 35 were males and 15 were females. Around 45 patients had undergone total hip replacements while 5 patients needed total knee replacement in this one year period. Nearly 50% of the patients were below the age of 30 years.

The entire cost of each joint replacement surgery is free for the patient. Helping Hand Foundation sponsors the cost of the implant while medical management is free at OGH. This first-of-a-kind PPP between a state-run hospital and NGO in Telangana State has proven to be a boon, particularly to young men and women.

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