No Patient Left Behind: SMHRC Provides Free Advanced Surgery to Underprivileged Woman
The 1,020-bedded Shalinitai Meghe Hospital & Research Centre (SMHRC) continues to set benchmarks in delivering comprehensive healthcare services to patients across Central India. Through its outreach and community welfare initiatives, the hospital remains committed to providing advanced medical care and compassionate treatment to underprivileged patients from remote and rural regions.
Recently, an 80-year-old woman from the remote village of Navegaon Bandh, belonging to a socioeconomically disadvantaged background, underwent successful treatment for a rare and complex combination of complete rectal prolapse and uterine prolapse at SMHRC, Wanadongri, Nagpur. The patient had been suffering from a protruding rectal mass, difficulty in defecation, discomfort while walking, and persistent pelvic heaviness, all of which had significantly impacted her quality of life.
Given the patient’s advanced age and the challenges associated with managing two coexisting prolapse conditions, a multidisciplinary team from the Departments of General Surgery and Gynecology developed a carefully coordinated treatment plan. Comprehensive preoperative evaluation, anesthetic assessment, and meticulous surgical preparation were undertaken to ensure maximum patient safety while achieving definitive correction of both conditions.
Dr. Pravin Nikhade, Professor of Surgery, stated, “Managing dual prolapse in an elderly patient requires a careful balance between surgical effectiveness and patient safety, particularly in view of the reduced physiological reserve and increased perioperative risks associated with advanced age.”
The patient successfully underwent a single-stage surgical procedure, which included a hysterectomy for uterine prolapse and an open rectopexy for rectal prolapse. The surgery demanded exceptional surgical precision, comprehensive anatomical expertise, and delicate tissue handling. The procedure was completed successfully with stable intraoperative parameters and minimal complications.
Following surgery, the patient demonstrated remarkable recovery. Her vital signs remained stable, postoperative pain was effectively managed, bowel function gradually normalized, and early mobilization was achieved. By the time of discharge, she was ambulatory, comfortable, and completely relieved of the distressing symptoms that had affected her daily life, resulting in a significant improvement in her dignity, independence, and overall well-being.
Dr. Vasant Gawande, CMS, SMHRC, expressed pride in the successful outcome and acknowledged the collective efforts of the surgical and gynecology teams. The surgery was performed by Dr. Pravin Nikhade supported by Dr. Amit Gilani, Dr. Rupeshwar Verma, Dr. Joben, Dr. Anjali, Dr. Sandeep, Dr. Ayesha, Dr. Janil, and Dr. Raima under the supervision of Dr. Anil Akulwar, along with the Gynecology team led by Dr. Lata and Dr. Meenakshi. The case was managed under the guidance of Dr. Rajiv Sonarkar, Professor and Head, Department of General Surgery. Anaesthesia services were provided by Dr. Priyanka Agarwal and Dr. Priyanka Parate under the leadership of Dr. Anjali Borkar, Head of the Department of Anaesthesia. Nursing care was coordinated by Sr. Vaishali, OT Incharge, and Sr. Seema Mendhe (Ward), under the supervision of Sr. Sheela Chakre, Assistant Nursing Superintendent (ANS), who ensured seamless pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative patient care.
Dr. Sudhir Singh, AMS, SMHRC, informed that the entire treatment was provided free of cost even though the patient did not possess the necessary documentation required for enrollment under government healthcare schemes. This decision reflected the commitment of Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education & Research (DU) to ensuring that no patient is denied critical healthcare due to financial or administrative constraints.
Dr. Anup Marar, Director, DMIHER (DU) Nagpur Campus, remarked that the case exemplifies the dedication of SMHRC to extend quality healthcare services to underserved populations. He also expressed gratitude to Dr. Nilesh Agarwal, COO, DMIHER(DU)and Dr. Ujwal Gajbe, Dean, Datta Meghe Medical College for their unwavering support and encouragement in advancing patient-centered healthcare initiatives.
This case represents a significant milestone in comprehensive surgical care at SMHRC and highlights the institution’s commitment to delivering advanced, compassionate, and evidence-based treatment. It stands as a testament to the power of multidisciplinary teamwork, surgical excellence, and the profound impact of restoring not only physical health but also dignity and quality of life.
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