Operative cardiology camp at STNM Hospital benefits 25 patients

Monday, Oct 28, 2024 21:45 [IST]

Last Update: Sunday, Oct 27, 2024 16:14 [IST]

Operative cardiology camp at STNM Hospital benefits 25 patients

KUNAL RAI

GANGTOK,: Twenty-five patients were operated during the “Electrophysiological Studies and Radio Frequency Ablation Operative Cardiology Camp” held at New STNM Hospital here on October 26 and 27.

Addressing media, Health minister G.T. Dhungel lauded the leadership of Chief Minister PS Golay for conceptualizing and initiating such lifesaving camps in Sikkim, benefitting patients from the State along with the North Bengal and North East. He said that facility of Electrophysiologist Interventional cardiologist is not available in North Bengal and North East India. “It is a matter of pride and honour that we have had the support of Dr. Avinash Verma, a seasoned cardiologist and director (Electrophysiology) at BLK- MAX Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi, and his team. They visited Sikkim and extended their valuable time for the treatment of the needy patients of the State and neighbouring States of West Bengal and NE. As per the report, the cost incurred for the treatment of the illness tunes from Rs. 2.5 lakhs to Rs. 4.5 lakhs and more and the treatment is only available in cities which is time taking and expensive as well. But the camp held here is free of cost with the blessing of the CM for all the patients availing treatment in the camp.”

The minister thanked the Chief Minister for the “benevolent vision” and the entire cardiology team, Dr. Avinash Verma, Dr. D.P. Rai, HOD, Department of Cardiology, New STNM Hospital and and nurses, for their effort in making the camp a success. “We are sure in days ahead similar camp would be held benefitting the patients of the State.”

Addressing media, Dr. D.P. Rai said that Chief Minister Golay and Health minister Dhungel’s vision of providing comprehensive high quality health care in Sikkim, and logistic help and favourable atmosphere to have this high end facility at Department of Cardiology, STNM Hospital has benefited hundreds of heart patients.

“Dr. Avinash Verma has already conducted seven successful camps for the patients from our State. We have already done more than 100 operations in Sikkim. This time, we had 25 operations. We started operations from 8.30 am of October 26 and will be continued till night of October 27 and all the operations are going on smoothly,” added Dr. Rai.

He informed that the Chief Minister had provided funds to procure costly consumables from Delhi for the operations and patients do not have to pay for it.  

Dr. D.P. Rai, a part of the operating team and organiser of the camp, extended gratitude to the Chief Minister for financial support for the operations and the Health minister for all support and guidance.

Darjeeling resident Suman Gurung, 36, who underwent operation, said, “I had been suffering from the life threatening illness since many years and the cost incurred for the treatment was high. But the Sikkim CM’s visionary health camp for patients like us has been a blessing as this has given us a new life and brought normalcy too. I would like to thank the CM of Sikkim, the Health minister, Dr. Avinash Verma and Dr. D.P. Rai for the treatment here in the State hospital that too for free of cost.”

Seventeen-year-old Pratima Pradhan from Rangpo, said, “I had arrhythmias (rhythm disturbances of heart) since many years which was causing a huge problem in my studies and health. But the treatment I was offered here in the camp has come to be as a boon and I am sure will definitely change my life ahead.”

She expressed her gratitude to the Chief Minister, Health minister and the STNM Hospital for organising such camps for the needy patients like her.  

Man Maya Mangar, a 70-year-old from, 6th Mile, Tadong, said she had the issue of palpation of heart which caused hindrance in her daily activities. “I was under treatment since years and suffered a severity in the month of August, 2024 but as now I have undergone operation in the camp I feel light on my feet and I feel I am cured completely.” She thanked the Chief Minister for such camps for the patients of the State suffering from arrhythmias and wished that such camps be held regularly.

Sikkim at a Glance

  • Area: 7096 Sq Kms
  • Capital: Gangtok
  • Altitude: 5,840 ft
  • Population: 6.10 Lakhs
  • Topography: Hilly terrain elevation from 600 to over 28,509 ft above sea level
  • Climate:
  • Summer: Min- 13°C - Max 21°C
  • Winter: Min- 0.48°C - Max 13°C
  • Rainfall: 325 cms per annum
  • Language Spoken: Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha, Tibetan, English, Hindi