A three-day certification programme titled 'Fellowship of Minimal Access Surgery' for laparoscopic surgeons in the country is to be conducted in Coimbatore in May. | |
| Addressing a press conference, Dr C Palanivelu, founder chairman of Gem Hospital India, Private Limited, Coimbatore, said the fellowship programme had been planned to bring standardisation in laparoscopic surgery in the country. This is the first time such a certification programme on laparoscopic surgery is being conducted in the country. About 200 laparoscopic surgeons are expected enroll for the programme. |
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| He said there were plans to conduct similar certification programme in other cities like Nagpur, Chandigarh, Guwahati. |
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| Palanivelu was recently selected for the Dr B C Roy National Award for 2005 in the category of 'Development of Specialities'. He is also the founder president of the Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India (AMASI), which has a membership of over 3200 practising laparoscopic surgeons. |
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| "Laparoscopic surgery is no longer unaffordable. With indigenous technology and equipment, we have brought down the cost of surgery and there is no cost difference between an open surgery and laparoscopic surgery," he said. |
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| He said the association had held discussions with the Medical Council of India (MCI) about creating a certification programme for laparoscopic surgeons in the country. MCI has in-principal agreed for this and is working on the modalities. |
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| However, he added that there was lot of awareness to be created on laparoscopic surgery and sought the government's help to include laparoscopy as part of the medical curriculum. |
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| "Almost every procedure including cancers of the esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas and rectum, among others can be treated. With good illumination and magnification the diseases are identified correctly and operations are performed more accurately. Recovery will also be faster," he pointed out. |
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| Palanivelu is among the first few surgeons to introduce the 'Key hole concept - minimal access (laparoscopic) surgery' in India. His 10 innovative surgeries have been included in the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endo Surgeons (SAGES) Video Library in the last seven consecutive years. He has also authored four books on laparoscopic surgery. |
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| Gem Hospital is a centre for gastroenterology and advanced laparoscopic surgery. The hospital, accredited by the National Board of Examination, ministry of health, also offers training including, a two-year postdoctoral fellowship courses in Minimal Access Surgery and Endogynecology. |
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