Meeting Orthopaedic surgical Needs in Tribal Madhya Pradesh: The Role of Christian Mission Hospitals in Providing Advanced Surgical Care in Low-Resource Settings

Background: Tribal regions of Madhya Pradesh, India, face significant gaps in orthopedic care, with conditions requiring surgical intervention including trauma, infections, and degenerative conditions of the musculoskeletal system. Lack of specialist care poses a major challenge in these resource-deficit areas.

Methods: A retrospective audit of orthopaedic surgeries done by the author at Padhar Hospital, a Christian mission hospital serving a predominantly tribal population, was conducted for November 2023. Data included demographics, diagnosis, fracture classifications, surgical interventions, and surgeon role, analyzed in the context of available resources.

Results: In one month audit the spectrum of orthopedic pathology and intervention was broad mainly in the male population accounting for 76% of all cases, while females comprised 24%.  92% of procedures were performed (rather than assisted). The most frequent types of procedures were closed reduction with fixation (24% of all cases), typically used for fractures and dislocations, debridement (16%), open reduction with plating (16%) for more complex fractures. Arthroplasty/joint replacements comprised 12% of cases and exploration/excision for chronic wounds or foreign body removal, arthrodesis for joint stabilization, and tendoachilles tenotomy for congenital deformity correction. Techniques were adapted for limited resources and  implant availability.

Conclusion: Christian mission hospitals like Padhar Hospital provide advanced orthopedic surgical expertise in low-resource tribal areas, bridging critical care gaps. Their holistic, faith-driven service promotes physical healing and community trust, aligning with global health goals and biblical compassion. Sustained partnerships are needed to maintain and expand this capacity.