PULWAMA: In a landmark achievement for rural healthcare, the first-ever Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery under combined spinal epidural anaesthesia (CSE) at Community Health Centre (CHC) Rajpora was successfully performed under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) scheme, marking a major step forward in providing advanced medical care at the grassroots level.
The surgery was successfully performed by Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr Ajaz Rafeeq and his dedicated surgical team, with the anaesthesia team led by Dr Mohsin Farooq. The coordinated expertise, meticulous planning, and teamwork of both surgical and anaesthesia teams ensured that the procedure was carried out smoothly, safely, and successfully, restoring hope and mobility to the patient.
This historic achievement was made possible due to the recent upgradation of the operation theatre at CHC Rajpora into a fully modular facility, equipped with modern surgical instruments and advanced technology. The upgradation was accomplished through the dedicated efforts of the hospital administration and the proactive support of the Deputy Commissioner of Pulwama and the Health Administration, including the Director of Health Services, Kashmir. Their combined commitment has significantly strengthened the capacity of CHC Rajpora to perform such high-end surgical procedures locally, bringing advanced medical care closer to the community.
The patient received completely cashless treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, eliminating the financial burden that often accompanies such advanced orthopaedic procedures. The successful surgery not only brings relief to the patient but also sets a precedent for providing specialized surgical care in rural healthcare centers.
This milestone reflects the Health Department’s ongoing commitment to strengthening secondary-level healthcare infrastructure and expanding access to specialised, affordable, and high-quality medical services for rural populations. The hospital administration lauded the dedication, professionalism, and teamwork of all healthcare personnel involved in achieving this feat and expressed sincere gratitude to higher authorities for their continued support in upgrading healthcare facilities in the district.
With this achievement, CHC Rajpora has firmly established itself as a capable center for advanced orthopedic care, demonstrating that high-quality medical interventions can now reach patients closer to their communities without the need to travel to urban centers.
