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Globally one in every 10,000 children is hearing impaired and Hearing loss is the third leading chronic disability following arthritis and hypertension. 9 out of every 10 children who are born deaf are born to parents who can hear. Nagpur based Orange City Hospital & Research Institute (OCHRI) had launched their Cochlear Implant programme (OCHRI-CIP) ON 16th August 2015. The intricate surgeries are now regularly undertaken at OCHRI by team of ENT Surgeons namely Dr.Nandu Kolwadkar, Dr.Sameer Choudhary and Dr.Ajay Deshpande assisted by Dr.Kavita Dhurvey and led by Mentor & Chief Surgeon Padma Shree Dr. Milind Kirtane. The success story of OCHRI CIP program could be gauged by the fact that 60 funded surgeries were performed at OCHRI from 8th March 2016 till date. On 11th March 2017; Shri.Udaybhaskar Nair, Chairman- NAIRSONS group had hosted a celebration dinner to commemorate successful 60 CI surgeries done with TATA Funding under leadership of Dr.Milind Kirtane. All TEAM members involved in the surgery including surgeons, Anaesthetists, administrators, nursing staff and para-medical staff partook in the celebration to honour Dr.Kirtane. This was a thanksgiving function for Padmashree Dr.Milind Kirtane – Father of Cochelar Implant Surgery in India who is the guiding spirit behind this undertaking at OCHRI. It is added that TATA Trust had signed a contract last year with OCHRI to fund Rs.5 lac per surgery to the maximum of 60 surgeries in one year. Accordingly, OCHRI initiated a movement under aegis of Project Geeta so that this grant could reach needy children from Vidarbha who were deaf & mute only due to lack of said Cochlear Implant. At the outset Dr.Anup Marar, Director (Administration) – OCHRI welcomed the learned surgeon. Later Dr.Sameer Choudhary, Cochlear Implant Surgeon-OCHRI & Secretary, AOI felicitated Padmashree Dr.Milind Kirtane in a traditional manner with shawl and shrrefal while Dr.Usha Nair Director- Ravi Nair Hospitals Private Limited presented a memento on behalf of TEAM OCHRI to Padmashree Milind Kirtane. Dr.Vidya Nair, Director (Operations) – RNHPL conveyed the feelings of Shri.Udaybhaskar Nair, Chairman- NAIRSONS Group and briefed the gathering about Project Geeta. Expressing his sentiments on this occasion, Dr.Milind Kirtane stated that infrastructure at OCHRI is one of best he has seen across the nation and the enthusiasm, dedication, passion and team spirit prevailing in OCHRI is really infectious. He implored all media brethren, paediatricians, ENT Surgeons, Audiologists and general practioneers to sensitize people about the need of timely neonatal hearing screening and availability of such a unique advanced facility which is now sponsored by TATA trust and Chief Ministers Relief fund. Smt.Maniri Damle proposed vote of thanks. Prominently present on this occasion were Dr.Ashish Diswal & Ms.Neelu Somani- Audiologists, Dr.Smita Harkare, Dr.Neeta Deshpande, Dr.Anita Pande and Dr. Sweety Pasari- Anaesthetists, Dr.Kuldeep Sukhadeve- Paediatrician, Dr.Jeevan Vedi and all nursing and paramedical personnel associated with OCHRI Cochlear Implant movement functioning under aegis of Project Geeta. Shri. Sunil Sure, Shri.Roy Thomas, Smt.Priya Sashi, Dr.Noorul Ameen, Shri. Shekhar Bhagat, Shri.Ganesh Iyer, Shri.Avinash Ganar and Shri. Pankaj Wadaskar worked hard for the success of this ceremony. It is worthwhile to add that the immense confidence gained by Cochlear Implant team at OCHRI under Project Geeta within one year could be gauged by the facts that patients are reaching from Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and western Maharashtra belt also. Giving one person the gift of hearing may seem like a small act of kindness by TEAM OCHRI, but it has a compounding effect on the future of our world. |