Cardiac surgery in Kashmir 98.5% cheaper than US

Medical Tourism

http://www.risingkashmir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12590&Itemid=55

 Senior cardiologists of Kashmir Saturday said the cardiac surgery in Kashmir costs 80 per cent less than Delhi, 95 per cent less than Europe and 98.5 per cent less than its cost in the United States and other American countries.

Talking to Rising Kashmir on the sidelines of a press conference here, Head of the Department, Cardio Vascular and Thorasic Surgery at SKIMS, Dr A G Ahangar said: “The open heart surgery at SKIMS costs Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. The same surgery will cost 2.5 to 3 lakh in New Delhi, 10 lakh in Europe and 30 lakh in America.”

Ahangar claims that at SKIMS he had performed successful surgeries like ‘double valve replacement’ and ‘open heart surgery with minimal access’ exclusive with Kashmir throughout the world.

These surgeries are performed only in Kashmir. “I am the only person in the world who performs these surgeries,” said Dr Ahangar.

Earlier addressing a press conference, Ahangar said the 55th Annual Conference of Indian Association of Cardio Vascular and Thorasic Surgeons would be held at Srinagar from May 14 at SKICC on the banks of Dal Lake and foothills of Zabarwan mountain range.

According to Dr Ahangar, the conference would help in giving an impetus to medical tourism that would help the State and bring SKIMS on the medical map of the world.

“Our technological advancements are at par with AIIMS and PGI Chandigarh. In some areas, we are even better than the two and rest of the world. We just need proper projection and proper placement of facilities in the world health market,” Ahangar said.

Doctors said other areas that could be promoted for medical tourism in the State were Nuero Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Hematology, Rheumatology and other related areas in cardiology like angiography, angiopathy and other related areas.

Ahanger said that the conference would augment patient care in the Valley.

More than 150 papers regarding CVTS will be read during the conference.

SKIMS has already performed a record number of high risk open heart surgeries including beating heart, off-pump CABG and other operations.

Ahangar informed that the cardiac surgeons all over the world would attend the conference that will not only inspire young doctors but also change the destiny of the healthcare system of SKIMS.

Speakers and delegates from USA, England, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Pakistan, and Nepal are scheduled to attend the conference.

Veterans in the field of CVTS from India, Dr M S Valiathan, Dr K M Cherian and others are also expected to attend the conference and speak on the occasion.

A trade exhibition will also be held on the sidelines of the conference where different pharmaceutical stalls will be setup for the visiting doctors.

Dr Ahangar also sought cooperation from the tourism department, administration and law enforcing agencies.