Mr. Dinesh Gundu Rao, Health Minister, Government of Karnataka, unveiled a ‘second opinion’ helpline on November 19th under the aegis of the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust, to help patients undergoing complex joint surgeries get advice to guide them regarding their decisions.

The first-of-its-kind helpline in India will provide information in Kannada and English from a group of expert joint replacement surgeons on second opinions, treatment options, surgical plans, and rehabilitation programs.

The expert group will also review patients referred from government facilities to empanelled facilities under the health scheme to review gaps in manpower and facilities within the state and amend these.

The government aims to roll out the service in other specialties in a phased manner.