A government-run general hospital in the state capital has gained national attention after becoming the first district-level hospital in the country to perform five corneal transplant surgeries within one and a half months. This milestone highlights the growing capabilities of public healthcare institutions in delivering advanced ophthalmic procedures.
Advanced Corneal Surgery Performed
Among the five procedures, doctors successfully carried out a lamellar keratoplasty (DSEK), an advanced corneal transplant technique. Unlike traditional corneal transplantation, this procedure replaces only the damaged inner layers of the cornea rather than removing the entire cornea. As a result, patients experience faster recovery and improved surgical outcomes.
The successful surgery reflects the hospital’s growing expertise in performing specialised eye procedures using advanced technology.
Health Minister Congratulates Medical Team
Kerala’s Health Minister, Veena George, congratulated the medical team for achieving this milestone. She praised the doctors, nurses and supporting staff for their dedication and commitment to expanding access to high-quality eye care in the public healthcare system.
Strengthening Infrastructure for Eye Care
As reported by TOI, the hospital recently upgraded its facilities with the infrastructure required for corneal transplantation. Consequently, doctors can now perform these specialised procedures within the government healthcare system.
Typically, such expensive surgeries are conducted in private hospitals. Therefore, performing them successfully at a government-run general hospital represents a major achievement for the state’s healthcare services.
Boost to Kerala’s Blindness Prevention Programme
This development also marks a significant step forward in Kerala’s blindness prevention programme. By expanding access to advanced eye surgeries in public hospitals, the health department aims to improve treatment availability for patients who might otherwise struggle to afford care in private institutions.
Moreover, the success of these procedures demonstrates the potential of district-level hospitals to deliver specialised medical services.
Dedicated Medical Team Behind the Success
A multidisciplinary team of specialists made the surgeries possible. The team included corneal surgeons Dr Rashmi P Haridas and Dr Divya, anaesthesiologists Dr Ambili and Dr Madhu, nursing officers Bobby and Revathi, transplant coordinator Nadia, and nursing assistant Molly.
Through coordinated teamwork and advanced surgical expertise, the hospital successfully completed the procedures, setting a new benchmark for eye care services in government hospitals.