Government Medical College (GMC) Amritsar has achieved a significant milestone as the Department of Orthopaedics conducted its 100th spine surgery earlier this week, marking a major achievement in providing advanced and affordable healthcare services to patients in the region.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rajesh Kapila, Professor and Head of the Department of Orthopaedics, said the incidence of spine-related disorders was increasing rapidly, even among young people, due to changing lifestyles, long working hours, stress and other health-related factors.
He said while the spine surgeries were often expensive in private hospitals, the GMC was committed to providing high-quality treatment at affordable rates for the benefit of the general public.
Dr Kapila said spine surgeries at the hospital began around two years ago and the number of such procedures had steadily increased as the medical team gained expertise and experience. The department now performs a wide range of spine surgeries, including treatment for spinal tuberculosis, spinal fractures, slipped discs, spondylolisthesis, spinal tumours and other complex conditions.
He highlighted several successful cases, including that of a young woman who had lost movement in her hands and legs due to a severe spinal condition. Following timely diagnosis and surgery, the patient showed significant recovery. Dr Kapila stressed that early diagnosis and early surgical intervention were crucial to achieving better outcomes in spine patients.
The orthopaedic specialist said spine surgery was often required in cases involving fractures, tuberculosis of the spine, tumours and conditions that affected movement of the limbs. He pointed out that similar procedures could cost between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 4 lakh in private hospitals, whereas patients at GMC can receive the same treatment for approximately Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000.
Dr Kapila also noted that the department organised a cadaveric course in spine surgery last year to enhance the skills of surgeons and trainees. He expressed gratitude to his colleagues, particularly Dr Dipesh Kumar, Dr Ghai and Dr Sukhraj Sandhu, along with the junior and senior residents, operation theatre staff and the anaesthesia team for their dedication and teamwork.
