Knee replacement surgery at KIMS

KOCHI: ‘Guruvandanam,’ a free knee replacement initiative for retired teachers organised by Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) under the aegis of the Department of Orthopaedics and the KIMS Charitable Society, will be inaugurated on Friday. The surgery which requires about Rs 2 lakh will be done free of cost. For those residing in Kottayam, Idukki, Thrissur and Ernakulam districts the surgery will be held at KIMS, Edappally, Kochi. After preliminary examination, 40 persons selected by an expert committee can undergo surgery. Selection is based on the intensity of the illness and economical background. The programme will be inaugurated by Jamal Manakkadan, municipal chairman, Kalamassery. Actor Siddique is the guest of honour. Dr Jose Thomas Pappanacherry will introduce ‘Guruvandananm’.  The hospital’s charitable wing offers treatment free of cost to deserving patients.Surgery is also being conducted free of cost at KIMS, Thiruvananthapuram. For more details, call 9633275333.