Bal Shalya Kriya Mission at KMC benefits 25 children with Congenital Anomalies

Bal Shalya Kriya Mission at KMC Attavar benefits 25 children with Congenital Anomalies

Mangaluru: The Bal Shalya Kriya Mission which was organized by KMC Attavar in collaboration with Peedh Parai International, Houston (USA) and Bantwal Ananth Mallya charitable trust, was a successful one.

Mangalorean.com met the patients who had undergone free surgery under the banner of Bal Shalya Kriya Mission and interacted with their family members.

Speaking to mangalorean.com Paediatric surgeon, KMC Attavar Dr Jayathirtha Joshi said, “We are trying to find patients who cannot afford the medical expenses and those who really are in need. We are trying to help those children in cases which are not affordable. KMC Hospital has identified some of the patients by holding camps in various districts of the state as well as in other states. Next time we will conduct more surgeries in association with the Peedh Parai international”.

Dr Jayathirtha Joshi further said, “This is our pilot project and we have done 25 surgeries free of cost. The hospital is bearing the expenses of the surgeries, OT and other expenses related to the surgery. These surgeries are very expensive if done in other hospitals, the surgeries cost over Rs 1 crore. Value addition is very good and the camp is unique because the patients get the best medicine, best service, and best treatment. We are even training the local doctors through these surgeries. We also get an opportunity to share our knowledge with the doctors who serve in other countries. This is also an educational camp for the medical students to learn and gain knowledge”.

Speaking to mangalorean.com Dr Ashwin Pimpalwar, MD Pediatric General and Thoracic surgeon Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA said, “Peedh Parai International, a 501(C)(3) registered nonprofit organisation is a group of dedicated surgeons, anesthesiologists, intensivists, specialist physicians, physician assistants, nurses and support personnel. Our team liaise and visits with medical teams in different parts of the world to perform surgical procedures on the poor children born with a variety of conditions that affect their appearance and bodily functions. Our team includes paediatric surgeons with expertise in orthopedics, ENT, urology, plastics and general surgery. We also encourage medical students, residents, child care nurses, school students and other people who share the spirit of our mission to join us in our efforts. During our visit, we organize teaching and training sessions for the local medical and nursing students, residents, nurses, and surgeons. We also guide the local teams to analyze and resolve obstacles in the provision of health care related to infrastructure, technology, human resources, training, and education.

He further said, “The goal of our mission is to deliver the advances of surgical sciences to the deprived parts of the world. Children living for several years in suffering from treatable surgical conditions are direct beneficiaries of this mission. In addition, we strive to provide training, education, and support to the local medical teams to promote the continuation of medical care for these children”.

When asked whether he is satisfied with the work environment at KMC Attavar, he said, “Yes I am very happy to be a part of the Bal Shalya Kriya undertaken by KMC. It is my passion to do something to my country and I have got an opportunity to serve my country and make my dream come true. This is the first initiative in Karnataka and Second in India, and this is a voluntary contribution by team Peedh Parai who consist of like-minded Doctors, Clinicians and executives with an objective to help the poor & needy at all parts of the world.This is my fourth trip to Nagpur to find out the location and establish a good location so that the local people can be benefited and we can pass on our expertise. We not only provide service but we also provide education and provide time for research and pass on our knowledge with the local doctors. Nagpur is the city where I did the free surgeries and in Karnataka, this is the first time I have done surgeries for 25 patients. My next trip to Mangaluru will be with a team of 35 members and there will be surgeries related to ortho, neuro and other health issues for the underprivileged children who can be treated through this mission.”

He further said, “In Mangaluru it is possible to do such surgeries and I am really happy that my dream has come true”.

Speaking to mangalorean.com Trustee of Bantwal Ananth Mallya Charitable Trust Jeetendra Nayak said, “We are the facilitating partners for KMC hospital in Bal Shalya Kriya Mission. The doctors from Peedh Parai International have come to Mangaluru to do the surgeries on their own expenses. We take care of the medicines, food, lodging and whatever the patients and their families require throughout the procedure. We even provide medical assistance after the patient is discharged and gets completely cured. The patients and their families come to the hospital one week prior to the surgery and we take care of them. It is a noble cause where the child is taken complete care until recovery. Most of the expenses come in kind. This is a pilot project and we have succeeded in our mission. We will continue our support to KMC hospital in their mission to provide free surgeries to the underprivileged and deprived children.”

Marketing Manager, KMC Attavar Rakesh Darshan said, “We have organized camps in various places, prior to the surgeries. Through the camps, we have identified patients and registered them under the Bal Shalya Kriya Mission. But when there are free surgeries like these, some people think that the hospital benefits and such surgeries are done by the students. This kind of mindset should change, all the 25 surgeries done here were by experts and not by the students. All the patients are recovering well and they will be provided all the facilities. Our purpose is to treat the underprivileged children and give them a new lease of life so that they grow normally with good health and lead a healthy life”.

25 Children aged from 2-months old to 9-years-old from Bhatkal, Shirali, Bantwal, Kasargod, Periya, Panathady, Bovikana, Muliyar, and Mudipu have undergone various surgeries. All the children are recovering and their parents are satisfied and happy with the medical assistance provided by the Hospital along with Peedh Parai and Bantwal Ananth Mallya Charitable Trust.