Kochi: November 25, 2016: The Hon’ble Governor of Kerala, Shri. Justice (Retd) P.Sathasivam today inaugurated the Aster Center of Excellence in Orthopaedics & Rheumatology at a function held at Aster Medcity. The Aster CoE in Orthopaedics & Rheumatology is among the first advanced truly sub-speciality based orthopaedic practice in Kerala with qualified trained consultants looking after each sub-speciality, and will offer specialized services for comprehensive management of musculoskeletal disorders in adults and children.
Dr. Harish Pillai,CEO - Aster Medcity & Cluster Head - Kerala, Aster Dm Healthcare, Prof K V Thomas MP, Shri. Hibi Eden,MLA, Ms. Soni Chikku Panchayat President, Cheranelloor and Dr. Narayanan Unni, Chief of Medical Services, Aster Medcity were among those who spoke on the occasion.
Dr. Harish Pillai, CEO, Aster Medcity & Cluster, Head Kerala said, “The Aster CoE in Orthopaedics & Rheumatology marks many firsts. In addition to being the first advanced truly sub-speciality based orthopaedic practice in Kerala, it will also have South Asia’s first OR1 Fusion Digital Integrated Green OT certified surgical Suites; South India’s first IntelliSpace Critical Care and Anaesthesia (ICCA) ICUs; and Kerala’s first True Beam Linear Accelerator for high-precision radiotherapy, computer navigation for joint replacement, spine deformity correction and bone tumor surgeries as well as a Philips fourth generation Time of Flight 16 Slide PET CT. In addition, we are today the only facility in Kerala to provide advanced sports medicine services.”
The Aster CoE in Orthopaedics & Rheumatology has a strong foundation in its multi-disciplinary team of fifteen specialist doctors comprising trauma surgeons, joint replacement surgeons, arthroscopy surgeons, sports medicine experts, rheumatologists, orthopaedic oncologists, paediatric orthopaedic surgeons, spine surgeons, deformity correction experts and microvascular surgeons with the experience and expertise to handle the most complex cases and provide customized, evidence-based treatment to patients. This team of specialists is supported by the best critical care experts, infection control physicians, specialty-trained nurses, physical rehabilitation experts, clinical psychologists, counsellors and qualified technicians.
Dr. Harish Pillai added, “The Aster CoE in Orthopaedics & Rheumatology is designed to function like an independent hospital within the Aster Medcity quarternary care facility with a separate outpatient department, inpatient division, day care wing, state-of-the-art imaging facilities, dedicated Ortho ICUs, digital integrated ortho-surgical suites, physical rehabilitation division and a 24-hour emergency wing for trauma & accident care. The CoE has a separate entrance to ensure quick and personalized medical attention to patients.”
Present at the inauguration were eight special guests who were gifted with new lives by the Ortho team at Aster Medcity. Over the last two years, these eight deserving patients with serious disorders of the bone and joints, including cancer were provided free surgical treatment at Aster Medcity helping them get back on their feet. The youngest, a one and half year old boy who underwent a complex surgery to correct a congenital abnormality and the oldest, a 62-year-old lady, who required a total hip replacement.
In a unique gesture to reach out to the young generation, the Aster CoE in Orthopaedics & Rheumatology will also be launching an “Aster@School” programme. Elaborating on the same, Dr. Subin Sugath ,Lead Consultant, Orthopaedics & Rheumatology of Aster Medcity said, “Attaining a good peak bone mass in young adulthood and maintaining good muscle tone require good habits to be inculcated at a very young age. Schoolchildren, their parents and teachers need to be educated about concepts of health and physical training, so that we can build healthy and active generations. With this view, a free Orthopaedic check-up and health education program for schoolchildren in Kerala is being launched today. This will also help to identify treatable ailments at an early stage before it is too late to correct them.”
The “Aster@School” programme will have an expert panel of orthopaedic specialists visiting the schools periodically to conduct free clinical examination of pupils who are identified or suspected by the teachers to have lifestyle, posture, diet or growth related issues. Regular health education workshops will also be taken for the teachers and parents. Taking advantage of technology, telemedicine classes and consultations will also be launched in selected schools. There will also be a 24 x 7 helpline for teachers and parents with information on ailments related to trauma.
