On July 10, Sri Sathya Sai International Orthopaedic Conference on “Advances in Arthroplasty” was inaugurated by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who in His infinite compassion graced the conference by his Divine Presence in the conference hall of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthigram. This was followed by Bhagawan’s visit to the poster gallery situated across the conference hall. Bhagawan looked at each of the 52 posters put up that showcased highlights of various departments of the hospital and illustrated interesting cases of the Orthopaedic Department.  Bhagawan blessed the assembled devotees and the conference faculty and delegates before returning to Prasanthi Nilayam.

 The conference began with the inaugural addresses by Dr.A.N. Safaya, Director, SSSIHMS and  by Dr. Narendranath Reddy, Chairman, International Medical Committee and Director, Sathya Sai World Foundation. Dr.R.Varadachari, Chairman, Orthopaedic Department, SSSIHMS introduced the eight member team of distinguished faculty three from abroad and five from India, each one well reputed in total joint Arthroplasty with several honors and awards to their credit. The total numbers of attendees at the conference were 150.

Two live surgeries on July 11 and July 12 were major highlights of the conference.

Dr. Leo Allen Whiteside, orthopaedic surgeon of international repute from the US demonstrated Cementless Total Knee Replacement on July 11. This procedure was the first of its kind to be performed in India. Dr. Ian Learmonth, Professor of Orthopaedics from Bristol University from United Kingdom performed Primary Cementless Total Hip replacement on July 12.

The conference covered not only orthopaedic advances in joint arthroplasty, but also the Sai Ideal Health Care.  Dr.Narendranath Reddy gave a road map for comprehensive and compassionate care to the patient based on Sai Ideal Health Care and Sai Global Health Mission.

The entire faculty and the conference attendees gathered in Sai Kulwanth Hall in the afternoon of July 11 and received Bhagawan’s blessings. The conference concluded on July 12 after ceremonial honoring of the eleven member faculty team by the staff of the Orthopaedic Department. 

The week was still on and had much more to come…and the exciting news was that of Bhagawan’s visit to Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthigram on the 10th evening at 16 Hrs. Bhagawan spent valuable time in the hospital inaugurating and blessing an International Orthopaedic Conference that was attended by eminent medicos, over 120 from all over the globe. Bhagawan also spent time going through an Orthopaedic Exhibition that had rare orthopaedic case studies for display.

From the University end, the Bioscience Department in collaboration with Madras Diabetes Research Foundation conducted a two-day International conference on the theme, “Current trends in ultidisciplinary approaches to Diabetes Research” on 9th and 10th of this month. The Guest of Honour was Dr.V.Mohan, from the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation; experts from the MDRF debated on various aspects related to the subject evincing greater interest and participation from the students of the University; it was educative and interesting for the students of the department for they could understand the intricacies of this lethal but common disease.

With the big festival Guru Purnima falling in the week, Prasanthi Nilayam experienced a surge of rush and it continued till the week end though with less intensity. A big group of 400 devotees from Pondicherry and another small group of 55 villagers from Amaravathi Camp, Shimoga district, as a part of the SSSVIP camped in Prasanthi Nilayam during the weekend enjoying the bliss of Darshan.

Yes, the week lived up to its expectations and Prasanthi had sumptuous presence of the Lord during the week.