Maharashtra: IGGMCH to be the Ist GMC for cochlear implants in the state

Nagpur: The Cochlear implant procedure for the poor will be inaugurated on Saturday at the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital(IGGMCH). The hospital will be the Ist government hospital to perform these procedures and Dr. Jeevan Vedi the first Hinduja trained ENT doctor to join this government facility for the procedure.

The inauguration will be attended by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Medical Education Minister, Girish Mahajan, Guardian Minister, Chandrashekhar Bawankule and others.

Padma Shri Dr Milind Kirtane, a well-known name in ENT surgery, especially cochlear implant along with Dr Vedi will perform four surgeries on that day. Low-income group parents will now have access to cochlear implant - a costly medical device - for their children, who are either born deaf or have hearing loss, free of cost.

The IGGMCH under the Central government scheme will now conduct procedures. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s office, along with Dr Viral Kamdar, Director of Deendayal Upadhyay Institute of Medical Research and Dr Prakash Wakode, former Dean have together played key roles in putting the project together.

Senior ENT surgeon, Dr Madan Kapre who is already running a cochlear transplant program since 2010 has been an inspirational and positive force. He, in fact, has worked hard to have these ear procedures reach the poor, reports the Hitavada.

Rajkumar Badole, Social Justice Minister, Nanda Jichkar, Mayor and others too will be present at the inaugural function.