Golden hour surgery at Palvancha CHC saves man who tried to end life

Doctors at the 50-bed Community Health Centre (CHC) in Palvancha of Bhadradri Kothagudem district saved the life of a man who had tried to end his life, highlighting the role of timely intervention at peripheral healthcare facilities.

The patient, a native of West Bengal who runs a noodle cart near the bus stand in Kothagudem, sustained a severe neck injury after attempting suicide due to personal issues around two weeks ago. Given the seriousness of the injury, he was supposed to be shifted to MGM Hospital-Warangal for advanced treatment.

While the patient was being transported, Ravi Babu, District Coordinator of Health Services (DCHS) of Bhadradri Kothagudem and an ENT surgeon, received information from the patient’s family. Acting swiftly, he intervened en route and decided to perform an emergency surgical procedure at the Palvancha CHC on December 9.

With the patient’s chances of survival appearing bleak, Dr. Ravi Babu, along with the Palvancha CHC staff, worked continuously for nearly two hours to stabilise him. “The surgery, which would ordinarily be carried out at a super-specialty hospital, was performed at the CHC during the critical golden hour. Following the procedure, the patient was shifted to the ICU at the Area Hospital, Bhadrachalam, for further observation and treatment,” said Dr. Ravi Babu.

After receiving round-the-clock care for two weeks, the patient was discharged on December 22. 

Bhadradri Kothagudem District Collector Jitesh V. Patil described the incident as a reflection of strengthening public healthcare system in the district.

“The successful surgery demonstrated what government doctors are capable of when they receive encouragement and administrative support. Even in Agency areas, remarkable medical intervention is possible when doctors are motivated,” said Bhadrachalam MLA Tellam Venkata Rao.

(Roshni suicide prevention helpline: 8142020033/44 and 040-66202000/ 2001)