Govt doctors to give free second opinion for surgeries

BENGALURU: The stage government is keeping a hawk’s eye on surgeries referred to private hospitals from government hospitals under the various health scheme and plans to curtail unnecessary procedures which may be costly.

Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that the government is considering providing the option of providing a second opinion from government doctors for different kinds of surgeries in government hospitals from now on.

He said that a second opinion is already available for knee and hip joint replacement surgeries, and in the coming days it will be extended to all surgeries. He added that an expert committee of government doctors will be formed for this, and people will be assisted through a helpline. If needed, X-rays and scans will also be done free of cost for this, he said.

“In 2024, we had examined how many knee and hip replacement surgeries are being done in government hospitals and how many are referred to private hospitals. The number was at 66 per cent as government hospitals were not conducting some surgeries. We studied the issue and decided to upgrade facilities and training for surgeons where necessary to prevent unnecessary referrals to private hospitals. We also modified the online referral system”, the minister said.

“Earlier, we had provision for knee and hip replacement surgeries at 17 hospitals in the state and it has now been increased to 39 government hospitals. Now, 99 per cent of these surgeries are being conducted at government hospitals and treatment is also being offered without surgeries. We are also looking to expand such services in other specialities”, he said.

“Now, we are offering consultancy services through a tollfree helpline for a second opinion. We will also expand the scope to other specialties in the coming days” Dinesh Gundu Rao added.