Panaji: Swiss Foundation Groupe International Chirurgiens Amis de la Main (GICAM) has set up its second hand surgery and rehabilitation camp at Goa Medical College (GMC), Bambolim, North Goa. The initiative is to enhance healthcare and provide advanced rehabilitation and prostheses in the state.

The camp, which was initiated last year following GICAM's visit in July and August, provides hands-on experience to the doctors at GMC and is expected to benefit 50 patients at the hospital.

Addressing the press, Goa Medical College Dean Dr. Shivanand M Bandekar said four hand surgeries were successfully performed at GMC's Super Speciality Block on Monday, January 20th. Dr. Bandekar said, "This is our second surgery camp with the Goa Medical College as the host hospital along with GICAM. This time we have a bigger team of experts who include five surgeons. We have selected almost 50 to 60 patients. These are the rare cases of hand problems in our state of Goa.”

"There are certain diseases like congenital hand deformities and Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) where people are not able to use their hands. There are many patients having suffered burns and require plastic surgery. There are nerve injuries which require expertise. Today we started the camp and operated on four patients,” he added. He also emphasized that the patients who received treatment last year are doing well in rehabilitation.

"We have selected very interesting and challenging candidates," stated Dr. Marco Lanzetta Bertani, internationally renowned Hand Surgeon and Head of the GICAM's Mission. "Our idea is to create a centre of excellence in Goa for hand problems. This is what we do at GICAM."

The GICAM has also set up a fellowship program to teach the GMC students on rehabilitation and advanced surgical skills which would enhance patient care at the hospital.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sreepriya Pai/MSM)