Indian state offers free silicone implants, hand transplants to the poor

The Tamil Nadu State Health Department launched a free cosmetic surgery clinic earlier this week.

The service is being aimed at those who can't afford surgeries like breast reduction or augmentation, a Times of Indiareport said.

Those looking to go under the knife must visit the Stanley Medical College and Hospital.

Apart from breast implants and reductions, the clinic also offers cleft lip surgeries, advanced wound care, hand transplants and injury management.

When asked about this move, health minister C Vijaya Baskar said that if the state doesn't offer such services, residents might opt to undertake more 'dangerous methods' to obtain the same results.

Dr V Ramadevi, the head of plastic surgery at Stanley Medical College, said that many women have gone to their clinic to undergo such operations. 

"We have been doing surgeries to reconstruct entire breasts or a part for cancer victims. Now, we plan to do surgeries for those who want to increase or reduce their breast size.

"In some cases, women with large breasts had problems including shoulder pain, rashes and fungal infections, but many others wanted surgeries to boost their confidence."

The doctor also said that women will have to take basic tests to determine if they are fit to undertake any operation.