Defying Covid-19 pandemic, treating coronavirus patients successfully, simultaneously, Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) has performed 13 Cochlear Implants procedures within two days. The life challenges and struggle faced by a child with hearing impairment can only be guessed in the real sense. The neural prosthesis of cochlear implant is a boon to such children. Received early in life can definitely make a huge difference in the life of person with hearing impairment.

 

The changed life with the implant is almost like a rebirth for the child. The Cochlear Implant Programme at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), headed by Dr Sajal Mitra, Dean and mentored by Padma Shri Dr Milind Kirtane, Mumbai with Cochlear implant surgeons Dr A Z Nitnaware and Dr Kanchan Tadke is giving relief to several families. Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH), Nagpur has started the Cochlear implant surgeries earlier in 2016 with 35 surgeries done till now. Inspite of starting later GMCH, Nagpur has successfully performed 47 cochlear implant surgeries within a short span and many children are registered under the scheme. 13 children received cochlear implant successfully on January 1 and 2, 2021 which is one of the highest number of surgeries done in single session in a Government set up.

 

All the non-emergency surgeries were stopped for the last eight months. registered under the scheme. 13 children received cochlear implant successfully on January 1 and 2, 2021 which is one of the highest number of surgeries done in single session in a Government set up. All the non-emergency surgeries were stopped for the last eight months. With an aim to bring light to the life of these children and to make them independent, Cochlear Implant Programme was started at GMCH, Nagpur under the Central Government scheme of Assistance to disabled Persons for fitting of aids and appliances (ADIP scheme). The Centre was empanelled in March 2017 under this scheme. Fully dedicated Cochlear Implant Clinic and Care facility was started in November 2018. GMCH, Nagpur is one of the major Government-run hospital to start this facility in Vidarbha region.

 

The programme was started under Dr Milind Kirtane from Mumbai as Mentor surgeon and Dr Kanchan Tadke as Incharge CI surgeon later on joined by Dr A Z Nitnaware as Cochlear Implant Surgeon. The children receiving cochlear implant need special care and dedicated work up. The clinic has well-equipped OPD set up for assessment of patients for cochlear implant, training and rehabilitation of the patients receiving cochlear implant. Children enrolled for the ADIP scheme run by Central Government for cochlear implant under AYJNIHD, Mumbai are provided all facilities and care, and all the protocols are followed. Pre-surgical evaluation of the patients and preparation for the surgery, implant surgery, follow-up and rehabilitation is carried out. Counseling sessions of parents for cochlear implant are also carried out regularly at our centre.

 

The Cochlear Implant (CI) Unit has a fully dedicated team to manage all the aspects of CI, from assessment of patients, Implant Surgery, post operative surgical care, training and rehabilitation of the patients receiving cochlear implant. Dr B Gupta, Vice-Dean; Dr Avinash Gawande, Medical superintendent, GMCH, Dr Faisal, Professor, Orthopaedics; Dr Motghare, Head, Department of pharmacology; Anaesthesiologists, Dr Barsagade, Prof and Head; Dr Sawargaonkar, Dr Baxi, Dr Tambe, Dr Deepak, and, faculties from Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, participated actively in the programme. The members of the Cochlear implant team includes Dr Bokare, Dr Patel, Dr Rameshwar Pawar, Dr Ashish Keche, and resident doctors from the department of ENT. Ishita Kinariwala, Dr Ashish Disawal, Audiologist, Kishori Nemad, AVT therapist and nursing staff were involved during the procedure.