Gem Hospital organized a press meet on 14.8.2019 to convey about the celebrations it held for the 100 successful bariatric surgeries the hospital had done under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance.
Dr.C.Palanivelu, Founder, Gem Hospital and Dr.Praveen Raj, Bariatric Surgeon at Gem Hospital addressed the members of the press & media. They conveyed that Gem Hospital had performed 100 successful bariatric surgeries under the Tamil Nadu Government’s Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance. As a celebration of this milestone in easing and saving the lives of the patients, a celebration was held in Gem Hospital, Chennai. Dr.C.Vijayabaskar, Minister for Health & Family Welfare was the Chief Guest of this celebration.
The doctors conveyed that the celebration was eagerly attended by more than 50 patients from different part of the state. Talking about obesity , Dr.Praveen Raj conveyed that obese people who have been treated under this scheme had no other option but to get the bariatric surgery done. He mentioned that the patients suffered great emotional and physical discomforts and the Government of Tamil Nadu has done a great favor by including bariatric surgery in the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme.
He stated that metabolism plays a great role in a person’s weight change. Performing bariatric surgery and proper follow ups can help the patients to stabilize their metabolism rate. He said that this surgery that is offered free by the TN Govt is properly given to those who need it and it cannot be availed by anyone who wants to ‘just lower their weight’.
He extended that out of the 100 obese patients who received bariatric surgery, 4 had PCOD and after treatment now 2 are pregnant. He said obesity will silently lead to many life threatening diseases and awareness about it is also being spread by the hospital.
He mentioned that 12% children in Coimbatore are Obese and 16% are overweight. He said the Hospital, under its CSR program COPS, the awareness about fitness and threats of obesity are conveyed to school children. So far 25 schools have been covered and the hospital is looking to spread awareness to more schools.
Dr.Palanivel assured that with the support of the Government of Tamil Nadu, Gem Hospital will surely be available to help the needy and sick. Both the doctors thanked TN Govt for its phenomenal support in saving the lives of many.