As part of the newly launched ‘Bridge the Gap’ programme, eight orthopaedic surgeons from Africa will undergo training at the Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore. This is part of the three new programmes to be introduced by Dr. S. Rajasekaran, the hospital’s chairman.

Dr. Rajasekaran recently took over as President of International Society of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery (SICOT).

Addressing the media at Ganga Hospital today, Dr. Rajasekaran said that funds to train the eight surgeons will be provided by SICOT. The surgeons will be offered accommodation and food at a subsidised cost. “The programme aims to empower orthopaedic surgeons from the developing nations with the latest knowledge and practises in this field,” he said.

Dr. Rajasekaran had recently launched the ‘Lets pledge to give’ campaign. Under the campaign, members of SICOT will volunteer to perform one orthopaedic surgery on a deserving patient, free of cost. “The tremendous advancements in the field of orthopaedic surgery are unfortunately out of reach of the vast majority of the population around the world due to high cost of treatment and poverty. More than 20,000 patients will benefit from these free surgeries each year,” Dr. Rajasekaran said.

He added that SICOT will launch road safety awareness campaigns and promote stricter enforcement of road rules all over the world. He said that the worldwide activities will be promoted during the Road Safety week that is observed in January.

The International Society of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery (SICOT) elected Dr. S. Rajasekaran, Chairman, as its President for 2016 – 2018, during its meeting in Rome. The world renowned organization was founded 85 years ago and currently has a membership strength of 32,000 from 127 countries.