After an accident in college left him unable to walk due to an injury on the left knee, Vignesh consulted doctors in Tirunelveli, but was told a surgery would cost ₹4 lakh. “I could not afford that. Then a friend suggested I go to the Government Multi Superspecialty Hospital at the Omandurar government estate,” he said.
Here, his surgery was done for free under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) with stem cell therapy — Vignesh’s bone marrow from his pelvic bone was taken, the stem cells separated and then injected into his injured cartilage.
“Now it’s like before I was injured. I can walk again,” said the 23-year-old.
State Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar on Tuesday inaugurated the stem cell therapy machine, as well as a shoulder clinic launched by the department of arthroscopy and sports injury, at the hospital. The Minister said this was the third government hospital in the country and the first in south India to have this. “If we do not treat cartilage injuries on time, it can lead to arthritis,” he said.
State Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan spoke of several new initiatives and infrastructure facilities at the various government medical colleges.
The Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital, in the last three years, has seen 2 lakh outpatients and 50,000 inpatients, the Minister said.
Saving joints
Head of the department Leonard Ponraj said that clinic was focused on saving joints — knees, ankles, shoulders and hips — and making the latest treatment available to all. The stem cell machine, costing ₹10 lakh was purchased with CMCHIS funds. Stem cell therapy at private hospitals could cost between ₹1.8 and ₹2.25 lakh, he said.
Shoulder dislocation, ligament injuries and diabetes could all affect the movement of the shoulder joint and the clinic offers arthroscopic management and ultrasound guided management of shoulder problems, he said. Soon, there will also be sports rehabilitation equipment to the tune of ₹20 lakh. Member of Parliament S.R. Vijayakumar and president, Tamil Nadu Orthopaedic Association Ramesh Babu also participated in the event.