Nagpur, March 13 Manganese Ore India Limited and Indira Gandhi Government Medical College have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for free knee replacement surgery for patients living within a 10-kilometer radius of mining areas in Nagpur and Bhandara districts, and who are not covered by any existing health scheme.
A release from the Nagpur District Information Office (DIO) stated that this is an initiative of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
"Among the approximately 4 crore citizens above 40 years of age in Maharashtra, at least 40 lakh are affected by problems related to arthritis, knee pain, and joint pain. Of these, around 10 lakh citizens need joint replacement surgery," it said.
Knee replacement surgeries will be provided immediately and free of cost to those eligible, IGGMC Dean Dr Ravi Chavhan said.
"The government provides extensive assistance to economically weaker sections through the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana and the Prime Minister Jan Arogya Yojana. Patients who do not qualify under these schemes will be eligible for joint replacement through this agreement," Chavhan added.
MOIL operates four mines in the Nagpur district and two in the Bhandara district, the release said.
"Since these mining areas have a high tribal population, they will significantly benefit from this scheme. The state health department, IGGMC, and MOIL will organize medical screening camps to reach eligible needy beneficiaries in the mining areas," it added.