STATE TIMES NEWS
Udhampur: In a significant medical achievement, the orthopedic team at Government Medical College (GMC) Udhampur successfully performed a Total Hip Replacement (THR) surgery on a patient diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Ankylosing Spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory arthritis that affects the spine and large joints, posing unique challenges in orthopedic surgeries. However, the highly skilled team at GMC Udhampur, led by Dr. Balvinder Singh, a consultant orthopaedic joint replacement and arthroscopic surgeon, along with Dr. Qazi Waris (Asst. Proff. Orthopaedics), Dr. Manmeet (Sr. Resident), Dr. Kunal (dnb resident), and Rajinder Gupta (Theater assistant), successfully completed the surgery.
The surgery was performed under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, making it free of cost for the patient. Total hip replacement can be a costly surgery, often exceeding 4 to 5 lakhs in private hospitals. However, this scheme allows access to advanced medical treatments like this one, regardless of financial constraints.
Dr. Balvinder Singh expressed his gratitude to the administrative secretary of Health & Medical Education, J&K, Bhupinder Kumar, stating that “With active support of Kumar, the healthcare delivery in J&K has seen a tremendous rise in its quality.” The surgery was also conducted under the supervision of Dr. Mritunjay, Principal GMC Udhampur, Dr. B.L. Chaudary, Medical Superintendent GMC Udhampur, and Dr. Anil Gupta, HOD Orthopaedics GMC Udhampur.
This successful surgery marks a significant milestone in GMC Udhampur’s commitment to providing advanced medical treatments, even for complex cases like those involving Ankylosing Spondylitis. The patient is currently in stable condition and was able to walk within 24 hours after surgery, showcasing the skill and expertise of the medical team.