A team of doctors in Gangavathi taluk of Koppal district has achieved a fete that can be termed as a first amongst Karnataka’s taluk government hospitals. A total knee replacement surgery was conducted on January 8 on not one, but two patients, without the cases being referred to higher hospitals in urban areas. A tram of doctors headed by orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Salauddin Khalid, Dr. Renuka Aradhya, Dr. Sujatha and Dr. Shivraj Patil, conducted the procedure.

The surgery, which was conducted free of cost for the patients under Ayushman Bharat -Arogya scheme, would have otherwise cost the patients a minimum of Rs. 3.5 lac in a private hospital in the city.

The same hospital had twice bagged Kayakalpa Award from the central government in the past two years. Moreover, the hospital is known for having the highest number of deliveries taking place among all taluk government hospitals.