Center of Excellence in Surgical Innovation

The “Center of Excellence in Surgical innovation” at Karunya University was established in the year 2016 by Lancet Commission on Global Surgery, India Secretariat, headed by Lancet Commissioner Dr. Nobhojit Roy. In the same year Dr. Gnanaraj Jesudian of ‘Seesha Karunya Community Hospital’ was awarded ‘Surgical Champion award’ and appointed as Chair of the ‘Center of Excellence in Surgical Innovations’ (referred as ‘CoE’) located at the Karunya University campus.

Karunya University appointed Dr. Shoba Rekh as University representative for the CoE, Dr. Abraham Chandy as Project Coordinator and Mr. Samson Isaac as Project Office Coordinator. Various participating Heads of Departments and their representatives will be nominated as additional members of the CoE. Mr. Henry Waller, Chief Operating Officer- SEESHA (Samiti for Education, Environment, Social and Health Action) Dr. Sunitha, Medical Coordinator will represent SEESHA at the CoE.

OBJECTIVES of the CoE:

1. Promote Innovations that tap into research oriented students and scholars enabling cost-effective and accessible Health care.
2. Network and partner with International Universities’ programs that support Innovative health care Projects leading to affordable health care.
3. Liaise with Industrial Partners and research associations for prototype manufacture, to disseminate and distribute cost effective options.

PARTNERSHIP and ROLES:

1. Karunya University will facilitate medical and community related projects through CoE and support among other things, Project selection, Design, Monitoring, Patent applications, Academic credits and Publications.
2. SEESHA will assist and help in Need Assessment, clinical aspects of projects, Ethics committee clearance and program monitoring on health care and community issues.
3. Lancet Commission on Global Surgery, India Secretariat and Association of Rural Surgeons of India (ARSI) will provide necessary consultancy and advice to various projects.
4. International Universities like PGSSC Harvard University Program, University of Leeds, UCLA, will provide advice and collaborate with CoE, based on an agreement and related projects.
5. Industrial partners like Staan Biomedical engineering, Medtronic and research associations like SITRA (South India Textile Research Association) will provide essential, industry related support, prototypes and commercialization of products.

FUNCTIONING OF CoE:

The team members of CoE (Centre of Excellence) will meet twice a month where new applications and progress on potential areas of various projects are discussed. After preliminary screening by a ‘Project Selection Committee’, the recommended projects will be supported by a core advisory team to assist in obtaining seed funds and begin the research process. Selection process of project applications will be governed by the norms and guidelines of Karunya University.

Financial stewardship will be ensured by the Project Finance Committee with dedicated Grant Finance staff, in accordance with legal and financial regulations of the country.

Application for new and potential projects may be sent through appropriate links below or through the University designated representative, Dr Shoba Rekh (shobhapaulson@karunya.edu) and Dr Gnanaraj Jesudian (drgnanaraj@seesha.org) .

TEAM

CHAIR: Dr. Gnanaraj Jesudian. MBBS, MS, MCh [Urology], FICS, FIAGES, FARSI
Director Medical Services, SEESHA ; Adjunct Professor, EIE Department, Karunya University
E Mail: drgnanaraj@seesha.org)

UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVE: Dr. Shoba Rekh (shobhapaulson@karunya.edu)

SEESHA REPRESENTATIVE: Mr. Henry Waller (coo@seesha.org)

PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR: Dr. Abraham Chandy (abrahamchandy@karunya.edu)

Office Co-ordinator: Mr. Samson Isaac (samsonisaac@karunya.edu)

Medical Co-ordinator: Dr. Sunitha  (drsunitha@seesha.org)

Finance Coordinator: Ms. S. A.T Janili (janili@seesha.org)

CURRENT ONGOING & PLANNED PROJECTS

1. GASLESS LIFT LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERIES (GLLS)
   The project involves innovative equipment and technique of carrying out Laparoscopic surgeries in remote rural areas under spinal anesthesia in a safer and cost-effective manner. Single Incision GLLS were carried out for the first time in the world by SEESHA’s medical team. The project won the Antia Finseth award of the Association of Rural Surgeons of India and is supported by the PGSSC of Harvard University and University of Leeds. The Staan Biomedical engineering and Medtronic are involved in industrial collaborative efforts.
2. THE EASY POSITION EASY FIX MEDICAL STIRRUPS: This stirrup helps in accurate positioning of patients and is an useful innovation for endoscopic surgeries for renal stones, carried out by SEESHA team in remote rural areas. The innovation won the DST Lockheed Martin award given by the Government of India.
3. THE LOW-COST VACUUM THERAPY: This ongoing vacuum therapy project helps salvage many diabetic feet from amputation. The research partner, SITRA helps in producing low cost anti–odor and anti–bacterial, weather appropriate dressing material.

CURRENT PROJECT APPLICATIONS

1. UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS PROJECT (STATUS: Approved and funded)
   A three year project along with University of Leeds, seeks to expand and share modern surgical techniques to the rural and remote areas in India and Sierra Leone.
2. MILLENNIUM ALLIANCE PROJECT (STATUS: Awaiting Due Diligence)
   This project seeks to mainstream and ensure “Minimally Invasive Surgery” available and affordable through innovation and application in remote areas and rural locations of India.
3. INDO–US SCIENCE &TECHNOLOGY ENDOWMENT PROJECT (STATUS: Under Application)
   Based on comprehensive data collected on health care facilities in remote regions in India, along with Diagnostic Surgical Camps in remote locations, Affordable Health care will be extended and mainstreamed in remote rural areas utilizing Skill labs, Workshop Training and Certification. The technology will be popularized with collaboration from Medical Colleges and Hospitals.
4. INDO – DUTCH PROJECT (STATUS: Application sent, Results awaited)
   Research based Project on Minimal Invasive Surgery (MIS)

For project applications & collaborative opportunities please mail following details to:
Dr Shoba Rekh (shobapaulson@karunya.edu) with a cc to: Dr Gnanaraj (drgnanaraj@seesha.org)

1. Contact information
2. Title of the project
3. Summary of the project applied for
4. Review of Literature
5. Suggested time lines
6. Persons involved, with credentials
7. Estimate of costs involved
8. Expected result and impact

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