Everything in orthopaedics under one roof
Usha Holla Pune

Space is something that is in abundance at this hospital. It’s a 1,00,000 sq ft hospital devoted to a single specialty orthopaedics. And that makes Sancheti Institute for Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation in Pune, the largest of its kind in entire South-East Asia. ‘‘Unlike normal hospitals, here a patient is not always bed-ridden. Once he starts recuperating, there is a need for enough space to move around so that he regains his normal mobility. This was envisaged by the hospital’s founder Dr K H Sancheti and hence he instituted such a huge hospital for orthopaedics,’’ says Uday Vaidya, administrator.

Dr Sancheti’s name has become synonymous with quality orthopaedic treatment in Pune and so is his hospital. He is credited with contributing immensely towards developing orthopaedics as a speciality in Maharashtra. The hospital provides services in all specialities of orthopaedics viz. joint replacement, traumatology, spinal surgery, paediatric orthopaedics, Ilizerov techniques, arthroscopy and sports injuries, hand and plastic surgery. It is also equipped with efficient infrastructure both in terms of manpower and equipment. There are a dozen orthopaedic consultants, 16 inhouse residents and 18 panel consultants of allied specialities. The various departments and wards possess the latest instruments and equipment. Five spacious operation theatres handle a huge influx of surgeries. ‘‘One of these is exclusively for total hip and knee joint replacement surgery,’’ informed Vaidya. The hospital also possesses the latest operating microscope for various micro vascular surgeries.

Built with a philanthropic aim, Sancheti Hospital is also indulged in a variety of social and charitable work. Speaking about this Vaidya said, ‘‘We arrange free arthritis camps at the hospital every month. We also conduct special polio camps at Sanawad and Anandpur in Madhya Pradesh and Amaravati in Maharashtra. Free Jaipur foot camp which is held every year is another unique service from our hospital.’’ Besides these, Sancheti organises free plastic surgery camps during 14-25 January every year wherein renowned surgeon, Dr Sharadkumar Dicksheet from US conducts surgeries. ‘‘We receive tremendous response for these camps and we conduct around 400-500 surgeries during this programme,’’ says Vaidya.

Besides excellent treatment facilities, Sancheti also has a College of Physiotherapy. The 60 seats college is attached to Pune University and offers diploma and MS degree studies in orthopaedics. Then there is also a College of Diploma in Hospital Management. Excellent training and research activities are another hallmark of Sancheti. The office of Ranawat Foundation, promoted by US-based Dr Chittaranjan Ranawat is also housed in Sancheti Hospital premises. Besides conducting THR and TKR with dexterity, Dr Sancheti is nowadays studying on developing a prothesis that is of high quality but available at economical price. ‘‘A major portion of the cost that goes into replacement surgery is due to the prosthesis. Hence Dr Sancheti is trying to find out a model which would help bring down the treatment cost,’’ Vaidya noted.

‘Cure through technology and care’ that’s Sancheti Hospital’s motto. And going by the activities that the hospital is involved in, it has strived to stand true to this statement.