Modern surgery technique to help boost health care |23 November 2015

In its effort to continue improving the quality of health services it gives to its people, Seychelles will as of early next year start conducting laparoscopic or keyhole surgeries.

A new unit for the purpose is being set up at the Seychelles Hospital.

Two laparoscopic general surgeons from the International Modern Hospital in Dubai, considered a centre of excellence for such surgeries and reknown globally for its experienced specialist surgeons, were in the country last week. They were recommended by the chief executive of the Health Services Agency (HSA) Dr Suresh Menon, also a former specialist there.

Dr Rohit Kumar, who specialises in bariatric or weight reduction surgeries and Dr Shameer Hameed, who specialises in urology, were here to review the existing facilities at the Seychelles Hospital, carry out an assessment of what is needed in terms of equipment, adjustments required as part of the process to set up the new unit expected to be ready early next year.

During their three-day visit here the two surgeons also consulted around 25 identified patients, all morbidly obese with body mass index (BMI) of 50 and above and needing surgeries.

Meeting the press to talk about their visit, Dr Kumar said normal BMI should be between 19 and 25. He also gave a detailed explanation of how bariatric surgeries are conducted.

“Recovery after these surgeries is fast, with less pain, no large incisions and short hospital stay and the results are evident from the first day,” Dr Kumar said, noting that people still need to continue to eat healthily and do exercise.

Dr Menon said the benefits for obese people who undergo bariatric surgeries are enormous and they are spared from the numerous health complications associated with obesity namely diabetes, high blood pressure, depression and physical discomfort in social and professional life.

“The aim is to bring in other laparoscopic surgeons namely gynecologists and others so as to create a department to take health care to the next level,” Dr Menon said.
He noted that while here, the laparoscopic surgeons will train our surgeons to use laparoscopes to conduct these surgeries. But Dr Menon stressed that conventional surgeries will still be conducted as well.

He said the HSA is looking towards a long-term cooperation in this field with the International Modern Hospital.

While he will be helping Dr Kumar with the bariatric surgeries, Dr Hameed will also focus on laparoscopic urology, noting that related cases are common here.

“The patients I have seen here most of them suffer from kidney stones, bladder, and prostate problems and key hole surgeries will effectively take care of those,” he said.

Both surgeons left Seychelles on Friday evening but they are looking forward to coming back in January to set up the unit and start conducting the surgeries.

Also expected here before the end of the year is Dr Hafeez Rahman known worldwide as one of the pioneers in laparoscopic surgical procedures also from the International Modern Hospital.

Also present during the meeting with the press were health minister Mitcy Larue and Dr Loren Reginald, director for Seychelles Hospital.