US docs to hold free surgeries for 600

Vadodara/ Anand: As many as 600 patients from across the rural heartland of Charotar region of central Gujarat will undergo free surgeries in fortnight-long camp organized by a team from California-based Aloha Medical Mission beginning January 6.

For the first time, a team of US-based surgeons will be camping in the country to provide their free services to the rural folk, thanks to efforts to US return Dr Paresh Patel.

After spending 35 years of his life in the US, Patel, a general surgeon himself had started a hospital from a small hostel campus in Borsad where he along with his wife oncologist Chandralekha Patel provide free consultation to the needy.

“The Aloha Medical Mission wanted to conduct a camp in India. Although they were keen on organising the camp in South India, I insisted that their services are also needed in this rural belt of Gujarat,” said Patel, 75, who after completing his MBBS and three years of MS (general surgery) from Baroda Medical College in 1966 had first moved to East Africa for two years and later shifted to US.

“In all a team of seven surgeons, three dentists, five anaesthesiologists, one plastic surgeon and one ENT surgeon will be camping at Borsad from January 6 to January 19 to operate the patients,” said Patel, president of the Chovis Gam Sacchidanand Medical and Research Center which runs Shraddha Hospital.

“Before their arrival, we had already organised diagnostic camps in the region to identify the patients who are in need. The team from US will perform gastro intestinal surgery, treat congenital deformities and also provide free mechanical prosthesis to patients who have amputation of hands,” said Patel, who after leaving Cleveland, Ohio had started the hospital in Borsad in 2006 from a small building which has now turned into a 100-bed state-of-the-art hospital equipped with four modular operating rooms and ICU.