Department of Dermatology

Overview

Dermatology is considered an essential component of medical training, as it equips doctors with the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to diagnose and manage a wide range of skin disorders. In addition to common dermatological conditions, the department also focuses on specialized areas such as leprosy and sexually transmitted diseases, reflecting the broader healthcare challenges faced by the community.

The Department of Dermatology at Jubilee Mission Hospital has a rich history, beginning with its establishment and subsequent evolution under the leadership of various dermatologists. Dr. Mercy Paul took charge of the department when the hospital transitioned into a medical college, and over time, additional faculty members joined, leading to the expansion of the department’s scope and services.

Medical students at the college commence their dermatology education in the 4th semester, with a comprehensive curriculum that spans both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. During their MBBS course, students undergo a six-week posting in the Dermatology department, where they gain hands-on experience and exposure to various dermatological conditions and treatments.

Overall, the Department of Dermatology at Jubilee Mission Hospital plays a crucial role in medical education, providing students with a strong foundation in dermatology and ensuring that they are well-equipped to meet the diverse healthcare needs of their patients, both now and in the future

About the Department:

This department provides comprehensive care for patients with congenital clefts of the lip, palate and complex facial clefts. This is probably the only Department of its kind that is dedicated solely to the care of cleft deformities. It has been in existence at the Jubilee Mission Medical College & Research Institute for more than 53 years, and a total of more than 16,000 cleft surgeries have been performed at this Centre.

The Saga of the Cleft Patients:

The care of the cleft patient begins soon after birth. Counselling the patients about feeding, explaining to them the nature of the deformity, allaying fears and misconceptions start soon after birth at our out-patients clinic. The cleft lip and palate child requires surgery for the cleft lip at about 6 months, repair of the cleft palate at around 1 year, improvement of minor deformities of the nose at 5½ – 6 years, Alveolar bone graft for proper eruption of the teeth at 7 years, surgically bringing the upper jaw forward for gross deficiency of growth after 16 years with orthognathic surgery.

Partnership with Smile Train:

Smile Train is a charitable organization based in New York, USA, that helps in funding for the treatment of Cleft Patients. Partner hospital are meticulously screened for proper safety protocol, infrastructure and skills of the treating surgeons and anaesthetists. The Charles Pinto Centre was the first to be inspected and accepted as a partner in India by Smile Train.

Services Rendered:

  • SURGICAL TREATMENT – includes surgery for primary correction of unilateral and bilateral cleft lips, primary repair of cleft palate, secondary correction of the lip and nose, alveolar bone grafts, Maxillary distraction, orthognathic surgery includes LeForte osteotomies, secondary surgery for Velopharyngeal incompetence including Pharyngoplasty. These surgeries are available FREE OF CHARGE to the patients under the Smile Train Scheme.

  • NON-SURGICAL SERVICES:

    •  Orthodontics: A state of the art department has been developed that will soon be providing modern facilities like nasoalveolar moulding for Pre-surgical orthodontics.
    •  Speech and Language Therapy: There is a full-fledged speech and language therapy department with a well-trained Speech Pathologist Ms. Elizabeth Saju.

Facilities:

Four Operation Theatres equipped with modern anaesthetic equipment are available for cleft-related surgeries:

  • Nasoendoscopy and Videofluroscopy to assess the state of the Velocardial Sphinchter mechanism.
  • Nasometry to detect nasality of speech,
  • Dedicated 9 bedded surgical ICU especially for cleft patients.
  • High Dependency Unit for cleft patient. (5 bedded)

Academics:

The department is visited by trainees from all over India and abroad from departments of Plastic Surgery, Paediatric Surgery and Oral and Maxillofacial surgery with trainees coming here for exposure to cleft surgery and to further hone their skills in this specialty.

Publications:

  • National Journals : 9
  • International Journals: 3

Award & Distinctions :

  • Dr. H.S. Adenwalla was awarded the Sushruta Oration in 1999 by the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India.
  • He delivered a guest lecture at the International Cleft Lip and Palate foundation in Zurich, 2000 where he was awarded a citation which reads “in recognition of outstanding contributions in supporting patients with cleft lip and palate and advancing the medical skills in developing countries with deep gratitude and thankfulness”.
  • He was awarded the Joseph McCarthy award for Excellence in Medicine and Humanitarian services in November 2006 in New York.
  • Dr. H.S. Adenwalla is Member of the Smile Train Medical Advisory Board (South Asia and New York).
  • He was the 1st President of the Indian Society of Cleft Lip, Palate and Craniofacial Anomalies.

Dermatology Department