Category health

Hyderabad, March 20, 2023: CII-Southern Region organized its Annual Regional Meeting for the year 2022-23 and a conference on South India@100 with the theme “GOING BEYOND BOUNDARIES” today in Hyderabad

During the Session on ‘Creating a Healthier World in 2047 – Role of India’

Ms Shobana Kamineni, Past President, CII & Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd while moderating the session mentioned about how India has emerged as a leader in life sciences sector in the recent years specially during the pandemic times. Ayushman Bharat scheme is bringing a strong positive change across the country. We have witnessed solidarity in global action while fighting the pandemic and we need better co-ordination in future she said.

Dr Roger Glass, Director, Fogarty International Center, National Institute of Health, USA said that there is a need to improve the human health through compassion and service. He mentioned that there is a need to be strengthen primary healthcare and scale up the healthcare reach which could create massive positive impact.

Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Former Chief Scientist, WHO & Chairperson, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation said that healthcare sector contributes about 5% global CO2 emissions and all healthcare providers should commit to go green. All possible measures should be taken to become Net zero within a stipulated time period. India as a country need to work on disease prevention and health preparedness Pandemic has taught us this lesson. There is a huge inequity in diagnostics and patients need to be treated for the right disease. There is a need for Global Alliance in this area and we need to work on a mission mode in PPP model. India has proved that scale could be achieved in a short span and we need simpler short term treatments. As responsible leaders, we need to have better strategies to channelize credible communication with all stakeholders.

Hyderabad, March 2023: Indian Dental Association (IDA), Deccan branch; is hosting a free dental and medical camp, in collaboration with Our Lady of Good Health Church, on Sunday 19th March 2023, from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm at Roch Memorial High School and Church, AC Guards, Hyderabad, to mark the World Oral Health Day on March 20th, 2023. As part of the camp free doctors’ consultations for dental and general medicine, along with basic diagnostic services, will be extended. Interested persons can walk in for the check-up

Hyderabad, March 16th, 2023: The iconic Osmania Medical College, launched the first of its kind ‘Skill Lab’ in Telangana; at its campus in Koti, today. Chief Guest Dr. K Ramesh Reddy, Director of Medical Education, Telangana; inaugurated the Skill Lab, a much-awaited milestone in the history of the institute. Dr. P Shashikala Reddy, Principal, of Osmania Medical College; presided over the function. Dr. Anuradha Medoju, Regional Director (MofH & FW), and Dr. Pandu Naik, Nodal Officer, Skill lab; graced the occasion. Skill Lab is a prototype demo and learning facility for healthcare professionals to fine-tune their clinical skills, prior to real-life application.

The Skill Lab is funded by the Department of Human Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India under National Emergency Life Support. It will cater to nearly 500 undergraduates and postgraduates and several hundred para-medical technicians every year. The Lab is a valuable platform for medical professionals to practice procedural skills like Trauma management, Basic life support, Paediatric emergency, Obstetrics emergency, and acute cardiac management.

Dr. K Ramesh Reddy speaking on the occasion said, in our training programs the hands-on skills which we need to tackle emergency cases are really lacking in many of our colleagues, it is something that is very important. When we were students these types of labs were not available and literally we used to get trained in the casualty. It was a different attitude at that time. The education of the younger generation has shifted from skill learning to bookish learning, they are more dependent on volumes of literature available to them. They are not showing interest in the treatment of the patients, which will make a lot of difference in the days to come in the overall medical management. We need to take this very seriously and all the departments, especially the clinical departments should ensure proper training of the students in emergency skills. This is one area that is dynamic and a few minutes could make or break the situation. One has to be very active and try to tackle so that we will be able to save a life and give a quality life which is equally important. If it is delayed, the individual goes into a vegetative state, imagine the torture for the family. Here the skill labs will make a lot of difference. As per our university program, all the House Surgeons are trained in Basic Life support. But it’s a very short structured program, how many are concentrating on it and moreover, this course is conducted at the end of the course, because it becomes mandatory, it needs a certificate. That shouldn’t be the way, what I suggest is this training should be done at the time when they finish their final year and are ready to go for an internship. Because the internship is the real training ground for all of us and that is where especially management of trauma, the critical care skills, need to be structured in such a manner that respective departments train the students so that they will be able to put their skills to proper use. The Government of Telangana is very serious about mass training of CPR. You would have seen our Hon’ble ministers Harish Rao garu and KTR garu, conduct the inaugural program for CPR at different levels. The genesis of these skill labs was to not only train the doctors, paramedics, and Asha workers involved in the medical system but also police and sanitary workers should be trained in these skills. The state government is procuring mannequins so that programs can be done in different sections. For that this training is very important because if you don’t have proper trainers this program will be a total waste. We need to have properly trained trainers available in good numbers in every nook and corner of the state, so that even the mass CPR program can be done for common masses too on regular basis. Off late, we are seeing young people dying, they are just collapsing and dying, and some of them could benefit from a proper CPR at the right time. A similar Skill Lab facility will be shortly made available at Gandhi, Kakatiya Medical College, Nizamabad, and Siddipet, also shortly will seek sanction for all the 17 medical colleges in the government sector in Telangana. Government of India has given a structured training program, without any deviation from that, a proper training program has to be held. Even the upgradation of Training the trainer’s program should be done at regular intervals, which is also important. Ensure that initially, we cover all the areas which have no established medical colleges, all the medical professionals and workers from the neighborhood areas can be brought and trained there. The training programs should be for small groups so that proper skills can be imparted, such training will go a long way. The level of training should also differ, with a higher level of training for doctors and simpler training for medical workers. This particular center In Osmania will be a role model for other centers in the days to come.

Speaking on this occasion, the Principal, of Osmania Medical College Dr. P Shashikala Reddy said, Our students will now be able to proficiently manage surgical, cardiac, and obstetric emergencies with greater efficiency and skill. Those undergoing training will be awarded a nationally recognized training Certificate from this facility, which is mandatory for every Indian Medical Graduate. With this facility, Osmania students will be one of the best in dealing with emergencies.

A five-day Training of Trainers is being hosted for the first time in Telangana; from 13th to 17th March 2023; for Medical, Surgical, Paediatric, Anaesthetic and Obstetrics specialty doctors from Govt Medical College, Nizamabad; Gandhi Medical College, Guntur Medical College, and Kakatiya Medical College.

The importance of paying heed to our health has become more apparent in recent years. It has drawn attention to the fact that while it is indispensable to be prudent about our lifestyle to lead a healthy life, we still be faced with unwelcome situations like illnesses, accidents, natural disasters, etc. And it is during such unforeseen health emergencies that health insurance becomes vital.

Unfortunately, health emergencies don’t just drain us emotionally but financially as well. And when we or our families go through a health crisis, we should be able to access the best healthcare facilities without having to worry about finances. We be financially secure in the face of such unforeseen circumstances with the protection of health Insurance.

Health insurance policies provide a wide range of coverage to the insured against surgical and medical costs.The purpose of health insurance is to assist you in meeting medical and related expenses during a health emergency ensuring that you don’t have to deplete your savings. In addition to direct hospitalization expenses, a comprehensive health insurance plan includes benefits such as pre and post-hospitalization charges, ambulance coverage, and critical illness coverage amongst others. A good health insurance plan can provide your family with lifelong comprehensive medical coverage and peace of mind. It also has the added benefit of tax savings.
The various kinds of health insurance policies available are:

Individual Health Insurance – This policy provides insurance coverage for individuals. It can be purchased for yourself, your spouse, dependent children, and your parents.

Family Floater Health Insurance Policy -It covers the entire family under a single floater sum insured. Here the sum insured floats over the family members covered under a policy.

Critical Illness Insurance –A Critical Illness policy provides coverage for serious illnesses such as heart attack, cancer, paralysis, and a few others depending on factors like the company you are purchasing the policy from and so on. If the policyholder is diagnosed with any of the diseases listed in the policy, the insurer will pay a lump sum amount to the policyholder. This money can be used to pay off debt, cover treatment costs, replace lost income, or make necessary lifestyle changes for recovery.

Group Health Insurance–It is a type of Health Insurance policy that covers a group of people within a single policy. A Group Health Insurance plan provides equal insurance coverage to all members of a group, regardless of age, gender, occupation, or socioeconomic status. Employees are typically provided with Group Health Insurance as part of their pay package. This type of plan can also include group members’ spouses, children, and dependent parents.

Speaking on the importance of health insurance, Mr.Shreeraj Deshpande, Head – Health Business, SBI General Insurancesays “Besides the benefit of having financial security to care for your loved ones, a health insurance plan is extremely useful in combating medical treatment expenses. Lifestyle diseases are on the risemaking it critical to buy health policies at a young age. It serves as a financial cushion in the event of a medical emergency, allowing you to focus on having access to quality healthcare and treatment rather than worrying about managing the necessary funds.”

You can visit the insurer’s office, buy online, etc. and choose from a range of health insurance policies to get the finest protection at an affordable price.

Access to safe blood is a critical issue around the world, as millions of people require transfusions each year. However, not all countries have reliable systems for collecting and distributing blood, which can lead to shortages and safety concerns. Fortunately, several global companies are working to address this issue and increase access to safe blood. In this listicle, we will highlight 10 companies that are making a difference in this important area. From developing innovative technologies to organizing blood donation campaigns, these companies are committed to saving lives and improving public health.

• Novartis: Novartis is a global pharmaceutical company that is committed to increasing access to safe blood in developing countries. The company has partnered with blood centers and national health authorities in countries like Ghana and Kenya to improve blood safety and availability.
• B Medical Systems: B Medical Systems is a global manufacturer and distributor of medical cold chain solutions. Based in Hosingen, Luxembourg, the company was established in 1979, when the WHO approached Electrolux to provide a solution to store and transport vaccines safely around the world. Across its three business portfolios of Vaccine Cold Chain, Medical Refrigeration, and Blood Management solutions, the company offers 100+ products. B Medical Systems’ products are used across 140+ countries and have an installed base of more than half a million products worldwide. The company has been a long-trusted partner of global humanitarian organisations such as UNICEF, the WHO, the Red Cross, and more and has extensive experience working with Ministries of Health, hospitals, research organisations, universities, and blood transfusion companies across the world. B Medical Systems delivers its products worldwide and has subsidiaries in the USA and India.
• Pfizer: Pfizer is another pharmaceutical company that is working to increase access to safe blood. The company has partnered with organizations like the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to provide training, resources, and equipment to blood centers in developing countries.
• Abbott Laboratories: Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare company that is focused on improving access to safe blood in developing countries. The company has developed a range of diagnostic tools and technologies that help to improve blood safety and reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections.
• Roche: Roche is a leading healthcare company that is committed to improving access to safe blood around the world. The company has developed a range of blood screening and testing technologies that help to ensure the safety and quality of donated blood.
• Grifols: Grifols is a global healthcare company that specializes in the production of plasma-derived medicines and other blood products. The company is committed to improving access to safe blood and has implemented a range of programs and initiatives to support this goal.
• CSL Behring: CSL Behring is a global biopharmaceutical company that is focused on developing and producing innovative therapies for rare and serious diseases. The company is committed to improving access to safe blood and has implemented a range of initiatives to support this goal.

Pink Healing Hands, an all-women group for women was launched on International Women’s Day to celebrate women by Chief Guest, Mr. H. N Sharma, Legal Expert, and Ms. Shabina Khan, founder and entrepreneur at Press Club of India on March 11, 2023.

Mr. Veer Sachin Aadavanshi, Founder Chairman, FFW Group of Company, Prof. Jaseem, Chair Person, Narendra Modi Study Kendra, and Mr. Habib Akhtar, Veteran Journalist were special guests at the program

Founder Ms. Shabina Khan launched the Group to the world and gave an insight into the group’s modus operandi. She said, “The group is bound to empower women in all possible respect from health to self-defense to self-reliance and creating a better world for girls and women. We thrive to make our surroundings better for women.”It’s her Motive is a women’s exclusive event that commits to highlighting and uplift female talent.

She further said, “We feel proud to announce the launch of our latest initiative focused on women’s empowerment, safety, and self-defense. As an organization committed to promoting gender equality and ending violence against women, we believe that every woman should feel safe and confident in her ability to protect herself. Our capabilities begin where your imagination ends. You educate the world if you educate one woman.”

Prof. Jasmen, Chairperson, of Narendra Modi Study Kendra, said, “Through this new program, we will be offering a range of resources and services designed to support women in developing the skills and knowledge they need to stay safe and defend themselves against any potential threats. Our goal is to empower women to take control of their own safety and well-being, and to provide them with the tools they need to succeed.”

The group will be working on four verticals namely Women’s Empowerment, Women’s Self-Defense, Legal Support to Women, and Health and Hygiene Awareness.

Mr. H. N Sharma and Mr. Veer Sachin Aadavanshi promised to provide help and support to the group in all possible ways. At the program, the women and the organizations working for women’s cause were awarded ‘Women Excellence Award2023’ for their excellence and contributions. You educate a woman you educate the world.

New Delhi, March 13, 2023: The Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI) hosted its eighth edition of Racefor7® on Sunday to raise awareness about rare diseases in India. The event was flagged off by AIIMS Director Prof, M Srinivas, Chief Guest flagged off the event along with medical doctors from AIIMS and other hospitals. Participants joined the run/walk/bicycle to support the rare diseases cause at the AIIMS campus.

Team ORDI works to connect rare disease patients, policymakers, the medical fraternity, and Health Care Industry through various initiatives to sensitize the public at large to acknowledge rare diseases. A major initiative in this regard is our Annual Awareness Run – RACEFOR7. Race for 7 is an awareness run organized by Organization for Rare Disease India (ORDI) in line with World Rare Diseases Day. Racefor7 symbolically represents the 7000 rare diseases.

Every year ORDI organizes Racefor7®, the largest and longest rare disease awareness campaign in India with support from various Patient Support Groups, Clinical Research, Pharmaceutical, Diagnostic Support Companies, Physicians, Hospitals, Volunteers, and Runners with an objective to raising awareness among Public, Health Care Providers, Policymakers, Patient Organizations, and other stakeholders. As part of Racefor7, short marathons/walk/bicycle of approx. 7 KM are organized across multiple cities in India spread across February and March significantly boosting awareness and education on rare diseases.

Dr. Madhulika Kabra and Dr. Neerja Gupta on behalf of the Division of Genetics, Department of Paediatrics, AIIMS New Delhi comment, “Awareness about Rare diseases and their challenges among the general public is important along with other stakeholders like the medical fraternity, government, Industry, media etc. It is heartening to know that awareness is increasing globally and In India. Events like ORDI- Race for 7 shall make a huge impact that has brought multiple stakeholders together. We at AIIMS feel privileged for hosting this event and thank ORDI for giving us this opportunity and shall be happy to collaborate with ORDI to host this event in future. Our special thanks to all the participants for joining the event and expressing their solidarity to Rare disease patients and caregivers. Declaration and implementation of the rare disease policy by the Government of India is a major step, helping many families with better management of affected individuals. Specific treatment is presently available for about 5% of disorders, treatment being prohibitively expensive for most patients. There is a need to focus on research in the area for therapeutics for rare diseases and drug development in India.”

Speaking about the event, Mr Prasanna Kumar Shirol, Co-founder and Executive Director of ORDI, he, said “It is inspiring to see so many people come out to support the cause of rare diseases. The Rare Diseases community extends its heartfelt appreciation to all the participants.”

“Racefor7 is conceptualized and developed to raise awareness and build an annual Program to engage all the stakeholders concerned with Rare and Genetic Disorders.The 8th Edition focuses on access to treatments and building quality of life for 70 million people affected with Rare Diseases.”

Further, he thanked Government of India and the State Governments for initiating treatments for Rare Diseases patients under National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021 at the Government Hospitals. He said, “120 patients are getting treated in the first phase and there is long way to go in this journey of treatment, clinical trials, drug discovery and drug development, Insurance, find funding for both medical and non-medical support, continuous therapies, special education, care giving and building Quality of Life for patients and families suffering from Rare Diseases”.

All participants received a Tee Shirt with Bib mentioning a Rare Diseases Name. In addition, a medal and e-certificate were given to the participants along with sumptuous breakfast.

13th March 2023, Delhi, India: In observance of Endometriosis Awareness Month, Patient Academy for Innovation and Research with Support from BAYER commenced the first leg of the EndoRun in Delhi, today. The EndoRun is a mass awareness initiative that will bring together survivors and their families, healthcare providers, researchers, and advocates, to march for a shared cause around Endometriosis. The goal is to raise awareness about endometriosis, spark a national conversation around the condition, and call for greater support and resources for individuals and families affected by it. The awareness initiative saw more than 150 participants from various patient groups.

Endometriosis is a common, chronic, gynecological condition, which affects over 247 million women globally and 42 million women in India1. It is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus2. Women with endometriosis suffer from chronic pelvic pain, fatigue, depression, and infertility. Diagnosis of the condition is often delayed by 6-10 years, significantly reducing a woman’s overall quality of life. This also impacts academic performance and work productivity, thus causing a large socio-economic burden3. The information on clinical presentation, the severity of the condition and associated risk factors for endometriosis are also very limited in India.

Dr. Ratna Devi, Director Patient Academy for Innovation and Research, said, “It is important to create awareness due to the delay in diagnosis and treatment. Most women live through excruciating pain and other severe symptoms and their voices are unheard or dismissed. Advocating for better diagnosis and early treatment is an urgent need. Women must be provided with a safe space to discuss and support each other through this experience”.

“Endometriosis is a condition that affects millions of women worldwide. With our deep-rooted expertise in women’s health, we are committed to improving the awareness on endometriosis. We are delighted to partner with PAIR and provide support to initiatives that will contribute to help women access better healthcare solutions. Information and communication among patients, and patient’s groups is essential to fast-track the endometriosis diagnosis. At Bayer, our goal is to improve the health outcomes of women through research and development and by introducing new treatment options for diseases including Endometriosis.” says Mr. Deepak Chopra, Business Unit Head, Women’s Health, Bayer Zydus Pharma.

The EndoRun started from Connaught Place in Delhi and was graced by Chief Guest Ms. Suman, an Oscar winner and national president of the Embark Care Foundation along with Dr. Madhu Goel, Associate Director – Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Fortis La femme. Distinguished doctors and other patient support groups rendered support by offering expert guidance on endometriosis.

A coffee table book which is a collection of patient stories that features their journey and diagnosis story was also launched. It is aimed at empowering patients to take the right steps to connect with gynaecologists. The book will equip women to understand the condition through the perspectives of these women. The event also featured interactive sessions like Zumba, which aim to promote a healthy lifestyle among women.

“Through these pan India events, we hope that our efforts during Endometriosis Awareness Month will help break down the stigma surrounding endometriosis and promote greater understanding of the condition. We are committed to empowering those affected by endometriosis through education, advocacy, and support”, added Dr. Devi.

The other phases of the initiative are scheduled to take place on 25th March in Mumbai, 26th March in Pune, 28th March in Hyderabad and will conclude in Kolkata on 2nd April.

Hyderabad, 13th March 2023: L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), observes World Glaucoma Week, every year across its network, to bring public focus on this eye disease that can affect both adults and children. World Glaucoma Week is a joint global initiative of the World Glaucoma Association and the World Glaucoma Patients Association.

L V Prasad Eye Institute hosted a Glaucoma Awareness Walk to spread information about the dreaded Glaucoma disease, from LVPEI’s Banjara Hills campus, today. Chief Guest Sailesh Kolanu, Renowned Film Director and Screenwriter and Guest of Honour and Tollywood Actor of Colour Photo movie fame Suhas Pagolu, flagged off the walk. Dr Siddharth Dikshit, Glaucoma Consultant; Dr Sirisha Senthil, Senior Glaucoma Consultant; Dr Anil Kumar Mandal, Senior Glaucoma Consultant, L V Prasad Eye Institute; participated in the walk along with other Doctors, Patients, and Volunteers.

Speaking on the occasion Sailesh Kolanu said, whole heartedly applaud the doctors and medical professionals here for the wonderful work they are doing, day in and day out to ensure that the poorest man can access the best eye care. LV Prasad Eye Institute is acknowledged for its yeoman service. It is very important to be aware of Glaucoma, because it can steal your eyesight before your realise the damage it has done, Therefore it is necessary to undergo an eye check up every year, that way the disease can be detected at an early stage and help prevent the vision loss.

Suhas Pagolu said, till yesterday I wasn’t aware of this scary disease of the eye called Glaucoma and the serious harm it can cause to vision. Also understand that this disease creeps in to our eye without we realising it and the only way we can prevent it is through a regular eye check-up.

Dr Sirisha Senthil, said, there is hardly any awareness about Glaucoma disease, most people express their ignorance about the disease. In India the top most cause of irreversible blindness is Glaucoma. This is one of the most common diseases in people above 40 years of age, one in every ten people either suffer from this disease or are at risk to suffer from the disease. One of the reasons for 90% of the public in India being unaware of this disease is its lack of symptoms. Mostly its detected after the person loses 90% of his sight, but its late by then. There is no treatment for this disease, currently we can only prevent further damage at whatever stage the disease is detected, but can’t restore the lost vision. Therefore we need to create awareness about this disease for people to undergo regular eye check-up. If a family member has Glaucoma it is essential for the entire family to get checked. Even infants can be born with glaucoma, a one day old baby can be diagnosed with Glaucoma. It’s a misconception of Glaucoma being an old age phenomenon, it can be found even in an infant too.

Dr Anil Kumar Mandal said Glaucoma can affect any individual, be it newborn baby, children, adolescents or adults. The detection of the disease should be done as early as possible and treated immediately. It’s a disease that requires life long follow-up after detection and treatment. This walk is being organized to create collective awareness.

As part of the World Glaucoma Week, 12 – 18 March 2023, L V Prasad Eye Institute’s Kallam Anji Reddy Campus in Hyderabad; is organizing a Patient Interactive Forum, in addition to Awareness Walk held today, during the week, to raise awareness about early detection and treatment of vision-threatening Glaucoma eye disease. Patient Interactive Forum is a live patient interactive patient forum in six different languages of Bengali, English, Hindi, Kannada, Odiya and Telugu. It will be held on 15 March 2023 from 3:30 – 4:30 pm through LVPEI’s YouTube channel. People can send in their queries using the below link. These queries will be answered by the LVPEI Glaucoma specialists during the live patient interactive session.

Glaucoma is an eye problem associated with an increase in eye pressure and is characterized by damage to the optic nerve leading to irreversible blindness. It is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss globally. The global estimates predict that the number of patients with glaucoma will rise from 76 million to 111.8 million by 2040, with majority of these patients residing in Africa and Asia. Available statistics indicate that 1.12 crore Indians (4.5% of the Indian population) suffer from glaucoma, including children, of which 11 lakh people have turned blind.

“A person with glaucoma will not have any early symptoms or pain despite the increase of eye pressure till 90% of vision is lost. Vision once lost due to glaucoma cannot be restored, and that is why it is also called the ‘Silent Thief of Vision’. Vision once lost cannot be restored, but an eye specialist with early detection and treatment can help in safeguarding and preserving your remaining vision. Patients who present in early stages have no visual disability and can lead completely normal life. A basic eye examination for glasses (undilated eye examination) cannot detect glaucoma. Only a comprehensive eye examination that includes an eye pressure check, dilated fundus examination and a gonioscopy (in certain cases) can help in detecting glaucoma early,” says Dr Siddharth Dikshit, Glaucoma Consultant, L V Prasad Eye Institute.

Even though 80% of blindness from glaucoma is preventable, almost 7 million people worldwide turn blind due to glaucoma, with 2/3rd of them being women. This is because a whopping 90% of glaucoma cases go undetected, presumably due to a lack of awareness.

“Glaucoma more commonly affects people beyond the age of 40 years, especially those who have high myopia or are diabetic (one in eight people above 40 years of age are at risk for glaucoma). Those having a family history of glaucoma or those who have sustained eye injuries or have undergone eye surgeries are also vulnerable to developing glaucoma. They should get their eyes checked annually to rule out glaucoma” adds Dr Dikshit.

Another word of caution by the doctors is that steroids should be judiciously and only under medical supervision. Excessive use of steroids can also lead to Glaucoma. People for whom it is necessary to use steroids, such as eye drops, inhalers, ointments or tablets, they should also get their eyes checked regularly.

Points to keep in mind:

•  While it is true that people over 40 are at a greater risk of developing open-angle glaucoma, there are other types of Glaucoma (some very severe) that can affect people younger than 40.
•  Even young newborns and infants, due to abnormal eye development, can develop Glaucoma. These children present with large bluish eyes.
•  Can a cataract surgery (to place a lens) restore vision lost due to Glaucoma? Just as a camera whose film (or the 100 megapixel sensor) is damaged, cannot be repaired by changing the lens, an eye with Glaucoma will not benefit with cataract extraction and intraocular lens placement alone.

Treatment

•  Depending on the type, severity and previous history, glaucoma can be treated with medications (usually eye drops), lasers (of various kinds) and surgery, if required
•  The treatment for glaucoma aims at controlling the eye pressure and preventing further vision loss due to glaucoma.
•  Glaucoma surgery is not usually aimed at improving, but preserving the remaining vision.
•  Accompanying cataract surgery, when the eye has cataract, can recover the vision the vision attributable to cataract.

Hyderabad/Kolkata, 11th March 2023: Medica Group of Hospitals, the largest private hospital chain in Eastern India, organized a panel discussion on ‘Transcatheter Valve Replacement’ at Hotel Peerless Inn in Kolkata. The goal was to educate the common people and community about Heart Valve Replacement by simple heart catheters inside the Cath Lab by Interventional Cardiologists instead of Valve replacement by Cardiac Surgeons inside the Surgical Operation Theatre, under prolonged general anesthesia and ventilation. Aortic Valve replacement with the help of a Cardiac Catheter is popularly known as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement or TAVR. Medica has performed more than 20 such procedures over the last three and half years and this number is progressively rising. Prof. Dr. Rabin Chakraborty, Senior Vice-Chairman & Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Dr. Dilip Kumar, Director of Cardiac Cath Lab – Senior Consultant Intervention Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, and Dr. Anup Banerjee, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Medica Superspecialty Hospital were among those who attended the panel discussion.

TAVR procedures are now well established and worldwide more than 120,000 patients have TAVR in 50 countries. In India, as of now, 5000 procedures were done over the last 10 years. In Eastern India, the highest number of TAVR procedures has been performed in Medica Superspecialty Hospital by an experienced and skillful team of Interventional Cardiologists led by the Head of the Department Prof. Dr. Rabin Chakraborty and Director of Cath Lab Dr. Dilip Kumar. It is important to understand that Worldwide Trans-catheter Valve replacement is always done by a specialized team of doctors called “HEART TEAM”. In this team, there are Senior Interventional Cardiologists, Cardiac anesthetists, Non-invasive cardiologists, and Clinical Cardiologists along with technicians and experienced nursing staff.

The hour-long programme took attendees through clinically oriented topics such as advanced TAVR management with the support of effective case studies and the current state of TAVR in India as well as its success rate.

While talking about TAVR, Prof. Dr. Rabin Chakraborty, Senior Vice-Chairman & Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, said, “When heart valves are operated on, it is typically an open-heart surgery under full anesthesia where the valves are replaced. However, surgeons no longer need to open the heart to access the valves, as transcatheter valve replacement has become the norm in valve replacement procedures. The dosage of anesthesia is milder in these cases, and patients can return home in the span of a few days following surgery. When transcatheter valve replacement is done in the aortic valve, it is referred to as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement” (TAVR). Unlike surgical aortic valve replacement, TAVR is a less time-consuming medical procedure. In India, transcatheter valve replacement was introduced in 2016, gaining popularity rapidly. At Medica, we have successfully performed over 20 transcatheter valve replacement procedures in the past three and half years, which is the highest in Eastern India.” He further added, “The Heart Team in Medica Superspecialty Hospital has now gained the reputation and expertise in performing this complex Heart Valve Replacement Operation through Catheter with a minimum hospital stay. There was no complication in any of those cases in our center.”

Three critical TAVR case studies that Medica recently witnessed were also highlighted by the panel members during the panel discussion.

A 72-year-old woman from Kolkata had rheumatic heart disease and had already undergone open heart surgery and mitral valve replacement surgery earlier in another hospital. However, her prosthetic mitral valve soon got degenerated, causing her to have difficulty breathing and carrying out her daily tasks. During her admission to Medica, the cardiology team of doctors determined that in addition to the Mitral Valve the Aortic valve also was severely, affected. She required double valve replacement. She was not fit to undergo long-term general anesthesia because of her very frail physical condition and associated lung disease; so, the Heart Team decided to perform a Transcatheter Replacement of both Heart Valves. In Rheumatic Valve disease Transcatheter Valve Replacement of 2 Valves was not reported in the Literature. It is a very challenging and complex procedure. But Medica Heart Team successfully performed this operation, a landmark procedure that has been performed by Cardiologists of Medica Hospital in the History of Interventional Cardiology. Given that rheumatic heart disease is a rare condition that is mostly found in South Asian countries, the Medica team was the first in India to use a transcatheter to replace two valves on a patient.

In a second notable case, one patient 68 years gentleman from Kolkata had a severe blockage in the left main coronary artery as well as a severely diseased aortic valve. The patient was physically weak, having trouble breathing, and was experiencing chest pain along with advanced chronic kidney disease. In these circumstances, a surgical valve replacement could have been fatal. The patient underwent high-risk angioplasty of the left main coronary along with the TAVR procedure after a thorough examination by the expert Heart Team of Medica Hospital, Kolkata. The TAVR procedure was completed in 40 minutes with only mild anesthesia. A stent was inserted into the left main artery while the TAVR procedure the aortic valve was replaced by a prosthetic valve in the same sitting. Within the next two-weeks period, a similar case was admitted, and the same procedure was performed by the heart team. These are complex and unique cases first of its kind in India.

Dr. Dilip Kumar, Director of Cardiac Cath Lab – Senior Consultant Intervention Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, stated, “A faster rate of patient recovery, a lower risk of infection, and cost-effectiveness make the TAVR procedure the preferred option. Like an angioplasty, the technology used in the TAVR procedure is accepted in the global medical community. Ideally, it is performed on patients over the age of 60. The team at the department of cardiology at Medica has expertise from many years of performing sensitive surgical procedures such as angioplasty and has successfully incorporated the TAVR procedure into their practice, providing a safe and effective option for elderly patients. The team believes in providing ample information and preparing the patients mentally and physically so they can have the best chance of healing and recovery.”

Echoing the thoughts of Dr. Kumar, Dr. Anup Banerjee former DGAFMS and senior most cardiologist in armed forces, Presently Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Medical Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata, averred, “TAVR is a one-of-a-kind and complex procedure. However, with an experienced heart team like the one we have at Medica Hospital, such complex cases can be achieved without any complications. Catheter-Based Valve Replacement will soon be the procedure of choice for heart valve disease. Patients with multiple comorbid conditions and those over the age of 65 are currently candidates for Transcatheter Valve Replacement because they are not medically fit to undergo long-term general anesthesia.”

Mr. R Udayan Lahiry, Director, Medicasynergie Pvt. Ltd., said, “Medica has always believed in bringing advanced technology and clinical know-how to the eastern region so that patients can benefit without having to travel to other parts of the country. The double TAVR case in a rheumatic heart is one such first-time case in the world, and we at Medica are proud to bring world-class medical technology to the citizens of West Bengal and Eastern region.”