Dr. Profiles--Dr. Prameed and Dr. Lavona Pilli

Dr. Prameed Pilli, one of our orthopedic surgeons, and his wife Dr. Lavona Pilli, one of our obstetrician/gynecologists, are here on their second term of service, the first being during the 2000s.  Dr. Prameed, from India, and Dr. Lavona, from Sri Lanka, first met as children when Dr. Lavona’s father accepted a job in India and the family moved to the same town as Dr. Prameed’s family. 

Both attended Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, Udupi District Kamataka, India. This medical school was the first private sector medical college in India.  After graduating from KMC, the Pillis worked in India for one year as general physicians before moving to Sri Lanka where they worked as general physicians for six years. 

Their next move brought them to Nepal for Dr. Prameed’s residency at Kathmandu University.  He trained at Baidya and Banskota Hospital (B & B Hospital, which specializes in every type of complex trauma) in Patan, Kathmandu, and also the Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children (HRDC, whose services specialize in treating underprivileged physically challenged children) in Banepa.  Upon completion of his residency, Dr. Prameed began his career at Scheer Memorial Hospital as an orthopedic surgeon.

Orthopedic surgeons treat musculoskeletal systems, which are the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons.  Both chronic pain (such as arthritis and lower back pain) and acute pain and injuries (such as broken bones, pulled muscles, torn ligaments and ruptured disks) are treated by orthopedic surgeons.  While surgery is an important part of the orthopedic department, other treatment methods such as rehabilitation and medical management of a condition may be employed as well as referrals to the physiotherapy department.

While Dr. Prameed was in residency, Dr. Lavona began working here at Scheer Memorial Hospital as a Senior Medical Officer in the OB/GYN department.  After seven years in Nepal, the Pillis moved to Argentina for Dr. Lavona’s residency in obstetrics and gynecology at River Plate Sanitarium and Hospital, which is affiliated with River Plate Adventist University in Libertador San Martin, Entre Rios, Argentina.

Obstetricians and gynecologists provide medical and surgical care to women.  The obstetrics part of the specialty involves the medical care of women before and during pregnancy and childbirth, as well as performing cesarean sections when necessary.  Gynecology duties include diagnosing and treating female reproductive disorders such as infections and endometriosis as well as female cancers.  OB/GYNs encourage patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle and provide information about exercise, nutrition and family planning.  They work very long hours since babies don’t stick to schedules! 

Last year the Pillis returned to Nepal to continue serving the people of Banepa and the surrounding areas who are in need of their medical attentions.

Their two sons, Jonathan and Timothy, are currently studying in the United States of America.

  

Doctor Profiles--Dr. Ramon Ruiz Diaz

Dr. Ramon Ruiz Diaz, our anesthesiologist, is here on his second term of service, the first being in the 1990s.  Born in Paraguay, he is an anesthesiologist with a sub-specialty in pediatric anesthesia who worked in Mexico (private practice, instructor of pediatric anesthesiology for the government of Nuevo Leon and head teacher in charge of senior anesthesia residents and interns, and vice president of the board and supervisor of the emergency room of Galeana General Hospital, Galeana, Nuevo Leon, Mexico) and the Dutch island of Curacao (head of anesthesiology at Antillean Adventist Hospital).   

Dr. Ruiz Diaz received his medical degree from Montemorelos University School of Medicine, Montemorelos, Mexico, where he was the senior class president of the entire university.  His anesthesiology residency, where he was a senior resident team leader, was at the Hospital of the University of Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico (which has 22 operating rooms and is a liver, lung, kidney, and pancreas transplant center).  His pediatric anesthesiology residency was at the Children’s Hospital, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Dr. Ramon has participated in search and rescue teams in Mexico and also served on an orthopedic surgical team with Red Cross Aruba in Haiti after the earthquake in 2010.  He and two of his team members received a decoration for their outstanding service.

Being interviewed for the news before traveling to Haiti.

Back home.

Receiving the decoration from Emily de Jongh-Elhage, 

who was the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles at the time.

Being interviewed on the news.

Did you know that anesthesiologists are very highly specialized physicians who have many years of extensive and specialized training--and that there is only one anesthesiologist per 184,000 Nepalese?  During their work day, they may encounter very complicated and difficult medical and surgical situations where life saving skills and decision-making capabilities are a must.

Anesthesiologists are also perioperative physicians, which means they provide medical care to patients before, during, and after surgery.  Among other things, preoperative medical evaluations must be taken before surgery, as well as a consultation and planning of the surgery with the surgical team.  A plan for the anesthesia must be tailored to each individual patient, airway management must be implemented, there must be intraoperative life support and diagnostic evaluations, pain control, and critical postoperative life support.  Medical management of preexisting medical conditions must be controlled as well as any care and management of medical or surgical complications and/or intensive care management as situations warrant.  Other essential and critical skills required of anesthesiologists include the management, direction of and performance of cardiac and pulmonary resuscitation and advanced life support as well as stabilization and preparation of patients for emergency surgery.

                                                He is very happy to be here serving in Nepal.   

 With him is his wife Kathy, who is the librarian at Esa Memorial School

and also doing some secretarial work.

Winter 2013/2014 News, Part 1--"Hong Kong Adventist Hospital ENT Team"

To start this blog post, we have a beautiful picture for you to enjoy of the hospital taken this winter by Mr. Rohit Taujale.  Thank you so much!  Look at the crisp blue sky we had that day here in Nepal!

During the winter here in Nepal, when we have these crisp blue skies, you can see the majestic Himalayas!  Here is the view you will have when you drive to Kathmandu from Banepa.

These views can make you forget how cold you are--and how happy you are to be in Nepal!

And now to a large problem--Ear Trouble!  In developing countries, ear trouble can be a difficult thing and more common that you may realize.  Here in Nepal, where one can only find approximately one ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) surgeon for every 600,000 people and approximately one audiologist per 6,000,000 people, it can be difficult for those suffering from ear problems to get the help they need.  Add this to the fact that moderate to severe hearing loss is one of the most common disabilities here and you can begin to see the need for help.

This is why we are so happy and blessed to have Hong Kong Adventist Hospital's ENT team come to our hospital periodically.  The team members come during their vacation time and finance their own trip.  If you are interested in reading about their ENT services, please check out their website:  http://www.hkah.org.hk/new/eng/specialist_center_hc.php

This year they were able to perform 66 surgeries during their time here.  What a world of difference they made to those 66 people!  Here is Dr. Buddy Wong, team leader, performing a surgery.

  

One of the types of surgeries they performed was cochlear implant surgery.  This picture from The Journal of the American Medical Association explains how this works.

You can imagine how the quality of life for the patients has improved after their surgeries.  

Again, we want to express thanks to Hong Kong Adventist Hospital's ENT team.

THANKS!

Have a nice day and enjoy your upcoming Spring!

Stay tuned for more news!