Swati Soni, Sion
The Lokmanya Tilak Hospital, Sion is the first MCGM-run hospital in the city to introduce a state-of-art and more importantly, affordable neuroendoscopy machine for the treatment of patients suffering from tuberculosis meningitis.
“Asia’s largest slum, Dharavi is located near the hospital. Due to the poor hygienic conditions and large incidence of malnutrition in children, we come across many patients afflicted with tuberculosis meningitis. With the help of this machine, we can use minimum invasive surgical techniques for the benefit of patients,” says Dr Alok Sharma, head, neurosurgery department, LT Hospital.
The hospital sees a large number of cases of tuberculosis meningitis, the most severe form of tuberculosis where there is accumulation of fluid in the brain. “Earlier, we would use the shunt mechanism where a tube was connected from the skull to the abdomen to drain the fluid. The surgery was very painful and the risk of complications were high. The average cost of the operation was Rs 5,000. With this machine, the cost of surgery is almost negligible,” explains Dr Sharma. Besides the visible cost advantage, the endoscopic procedure doesn’t require the patient to stay in the hospital for more than five days compared to the minimum period of ten days required by the shunt procedure.
That’s really good news for patients such as Dharavi slum resident Ram Bhai Holkar who believes, “We are able to get back to work as we get discharged early thanks to the machine. And the best part is that there is no cost involved.”
A volunteer from Sunday Friends, a Sion-based NGO that has helped the LT hospital to procure the machine notes, “It’s a boon for labourers as all family members are required to earn their daily bread.”
Apart from tuberculosis meningitis,neuroendoscopy can surgically remove brain tumours, cysts and even correcting slip-disc.
The hospital plans to set up a National Neuroendoscopy training centre too. Dr Sharma believes, “Modern technology, by making surgery safer and more effective, has made a big difference to the quality of lives of patients. Indeed!
Rs 12 lakh
Cost of neuroendoscopic machine
Rs 5,000
Cost of shunt operation
Zero
Cost of endoscopic operation