| The Madras Joint replacement center of Dr. | | | | Restricted operating-room time means less than half |
| A.K.Venkatachalam show cased the latest advances | | | | of Canada's practicing orthopedic surgeons work at |
| at the Indian medical tourism destination 2009 ( IMTD | | | | full capacity. Inadequate budgets to purchase joint |
| 2009) in Toronto, Canada. | | | | implants and instruments means that Canadian |
| This event held at the Metro Toronto convention | | | | hospitals are often forced to limit the number of |
| center had 26 clinics, hospitals and spas | | | | orthopedic procedures performed annually, leading to |
| participating. It was supported by the Indo | | | | lengthy waiting times and surgery backlogs. |
| Canadian chamber of commerce. Mrs Preeti Saran, | | | | In 2003 orthopedic surgery had the longest waiting |
| Counsel General of India inaugurated the event on | | | | time among surgical specialties — a median of 32.2 |
| the 19th November. It was attended by Canadian | | | | weeks — between referral and treatment. |
| patients, facilitators, insurance companies, finance | | | | This situation is bound to worsen "due to existing |
| providers, travel agents and the press. The press has | | | | unmet need for orthopaedic services, ageing of the |
| covered this event widely. Dr. Venkatachalam spoke | | | | population, increasing indications for orthopaedic |
| to CTV, ATN and other agencies who covered the | | | | procedures and ageing of the orthopaedic |
| event. | | | | workforce," states the document. Over 5000 |
| Dr.Venkatachalam an Orthopedic surgeon from the | | | | additional operating hours per 100 000 population per |
| Madras Joint replacement center delivered a talk on | | | | year are required to adequatelyservice the Canadian |
| the second day. He spoke on the latest advances in | | | | population, concludes the COA. |
| Joint replacements. His center is the Madras Joint | | | | "Even with more surgeons and access to operating |
| Replacement center. The center offers prompt and | | | | resources, it will take some time to clear up the |
| affordable Joint replacement surgery in India. | | | | backlog of bone and joint surgeries so that Canadians |
| Canadians often pride themselves on possessing the | | | | waiting for surgery today can return to pain-free, |
| best health care system in the world. Very often | | | | productive lives," said Dr. Robert Hollinshead. |
| now, they are mistaken when they discover that | | | | These patients with Joint problems now can draw |
| someone in their family is on a waiting list for elective | | | | hope that affordable orthopedic surgery is available |
| orthopedic surgery like a Joint replacement. Hip and | | | | for a fraction of the cost in India. All they need to |
| knee arthritis are debilitating conditions which lead to | | | | know about their hip, knee,shoulder joint problems is |
| a poor quality of life. Suffering patients have to use a | | | | available on the websites of the MJRC. These are |
| cane or frame to move around and consume over | | | | After researching their condition they can |
| the counter medications since they cannot get to | | | | communicate with their surgeon and are assured of a |
| see their doctor soon. | | | | response within 24 hours. |