Surat : Surat's New Civil Hospital has opened its doors to a new Stoma Care Clinic, aimed at providing specialized and cost-free treatment to stoma patients. Dr. Ganesh Govekar, Superintendent of the Civil Hospital, spearheaded the inauguration of this clinic.
The clinic is set to operate as a special OPD every Wednesday between 4 pm and 6 pm, allowing patients from South Gujarat, including Surat, to benefit from these services without incurring any charges. Surat's initiative follows the footsteps of Ahmedabad and Vadodara, offering the essential Stoma Care Clinic to the community.
Commenting on this development, Dr. Govekar highlighted the clinic's inception as the first government center of its kind in South Gujarat. A collaboration with the Coloplast Company, the facility addresses the needs of the 25 patients who, on average, undergo one of the three types of ostomy surgeries—intestinal colostomy, ileostomy, and urostomy—at the New Civil Hospital each month.
Dr. Govekar pointed out the challenges these patients face, particularly in fitting colostomy bags post-surgery. Historically, many had to rely on private hospitals for dressing and bag placement. With the clinic's inauguration, these services are now accessible free of charge, alleviating both physical and financial burdens. "Should the number of ostomy patients surge, we are prepared to expand our OPD days," assured Dr. Govekar.
For context, stoma surgery in private institutions comes with a hefty price tag of Rs 1.50 lakh, with an additional cost of Rs 15,000 for colostomy bag maintenance over three months post-operation. At the New Civil Hospital, patients can now receive these services at no cost.
Present at the inauguration were notable figures like RMO Dr. Ketan Nayak, Head of Surgery Dr. Nimesh Verma, Iqbal Kadiwala of the Nursing Council, along with other doctors, nursing staff, and representatives from the Coloplast Company.
About Ostomy Surgery (Stoma): An ostomy, or stoma, is a surgical procedure where an opening is created from an internal organ to the exterior of the abdomen or other body parts. Typically necessitated by conditions like bowel or bladder cancer, severe typhoid, or intestinal injuries, the surgery allows stool and urine to exit the body via the surgically created stoma. Post-surgery, a colostomy bag is affixed over the stoma to collect waste. The procedure encompasses three primary types: colostomy, ileostomy, and urostomy.
