Ernakulam General Hospital to set up dedicated sports medicine clinic
Ernakulam: A dedicated sports medicine clinic is set to be established at Ernakulam General Hospital (GH) to provide specialised and affordable treatment for sports-related injuries, including advanced diagnosis, surgical intervention, and rehabilitation services.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap in specialised sports medicine and injury management in the government healthcare sector. According to the news reports, GH superintendent Dr. R. Prebhudas said the lack of dedicated facilities often forces patients with sports-related injuries to seek treatment at other hospitals.
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Dr. Prebhudas said that sportspersons most often came from lower economic backgrounds and that improper treatment of injuries could end their careers. He added that specialised care for sports-related injuries was needed.
At present, such cases are treated in orthopaedics and physical medicine departments. “Most often, we are forced to refer patients to other hospitals as we do not have the required facilities to handle such cases. With the sports medicine clinic, the hospital can cater for a large community at affordable rates,” he said, reports Hindu.
The proposed clinic is expected to cost around Rs 50 lakh, and the hospital is awaiting corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding before work can begin.
Dr. Sudheer K.S., junior consultant in orthopaedics at the hospital, said plans were being drawn up for a comprehensive facility offering surgical intervention, physical medicine and rehabilitation. A team of specialised sports medicine consultants would also be part of the clinic.
Speaking to the Hindu, Dr. Sudheer said, “The facility will help strengthen the athletic community and make sports medicine interventions accessible. One of the challenges faced by athletes is the significant economic strain of treating sports-related injuries. Our focus is to provide affordable and efficient treatment and get them back on the field.” The facility is expected to become operational soon, he said.
Once established, the clinic is expected to strengthen sports injury care at Ernakulam General Hospital and improve access to specialised treatment at affordable rates within the government healthcare system.
