Frugal Innovations that Helped Mission Hospitals Manage During the Pandemic and Further Suggestions

Authors

  • Gnanaraj Jesudian Surgical Services Initiative Association of Rural Surgeons of India (SEESHA) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7444-5892
  • Kevin Gnanaraj
  • Biju Islary Crofts Memorial Christian Hospital, Assam
  • Botoho Sumi Medzhiphema Community Health Center, Nagaland
  • George Mathew Shanthi Bhavan Medical Center, Jharkhand https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4054-6732

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15566/cjgh.v7i4.419

Keywords:

Covid 19, GILLS, Laptop Cystoscope, personal protective equipment

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic with the suddenly announced lockdown in India caused great stress to already resource-constrained rural mission hospitals. Frugal innovations helped some of the mission hospitals cope with the lockdown and resume regular work. Personal Protective Equipment was made locally and staff were trained to take care of the infected patients. Cell phones and the zoom app helped them with communications. The Gas Insufflation Less Laparoscopic surgical technique helped them perform safe surgeries and allow quicker turnover of patients. The innovative Laptop Cystoscope helped in follow up treatment of patients treated earlier by specialists and for emergency treatment. Empowering local mission hospital doctors and modern communication methods helped these hospitals maintain services during the pandemic.

Author Biographies

Gnanaraj Jesudian, Surgical Services Initiative Association of Rural Surgeons of India (SEESHA)

MS (Gen), MCh (Urology), FICS, FIAGES, FARSI, International Federation of Rural Surgeons, Adjunct Professor (biomedical engineering), Karunya University, and Director Medical Services, SEESHA, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Kevin Gnanaraj

B.Tech (Mechanical)

Biju Islary, Crofts Memorial Christian Hospital, Assam

MS (Gen), Crofts Memorial Christian Hospital, Assam

Botoho Sumi, Medzhiphema Community Health Center, Nagaland

MBBS, DNB (Rural Surgery), Medzhiphema Community Health Center, Nagaland

George Mathew, Shanthi Bhavan Medical Center, Jharkhand

MS, MD, Shanthi Bhavan Medical Center, Jharkhand

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Published

2020-11-09

How to Cite

Jesudian, G., Gnanaraj, K., Islary, B., Sumi, B., & Mathew, G. (2020). Frugal Innovations that Helped Mission Hospitals Manage During the Pandemic and Further Suggestions. Christian Journal for Global Health, 7(4), 33–38. https://doi.org/10.15566/cjgh.v7i4.419