Category health

Mumbai, 8th August 2023: On its 80th Foundation Day, RBL Bank, one of India’s leading private sector banks – proudly unveiled ‘Project Khwaish,’ an earnest social initiative dedicated to providing cancer treatment and care for underprivileged girl-children. In partnership with Tata Memorial Hospital, this noble project is aiming to benefit 80 girl-children with comprehensive cancer care support valued at a total cost of Rs. 3.20 crore.

With the first phase inaugurated at Tata Memorial Hospital located in Mumbai and Varanasi, girl-children from all states of the northern, western and eastern regions can avail of this treatment. Subsequent phases are scheduled to be launched in association with Adyar Cancer Institute in Chennai, where it will support girl-children from all southern states of India and Narayana Hrudayalaya Charitable Trust located in Bengaluru, Delhi and Kolkata, which will provide treatment to Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi, southern and eastern India.

According to a study conducted by the National Cancer Institute in July 2021, out of 50,000 children diagnosed with cancer, only 15,000 opt for treatment. From the remainder, the number of girl-children being denied treatment is on the higher side, indicating a traditional bias against the girl-child. If childhood cancer is detected early, the recovery rate can be as high as 85%. Project Khwaish aims to bring about a positive and transformative impact with a primary focus on providing essential medical care and support throughout their cancer treatment journey.

R Subramaniakumar, MD & CEO, RBL Bank, said, “The 80thFoundation Day is a momentous occasion and we are incredibly proud to launch ‘Project Khwaish’, a heartfelt initiative dedicated to delivering cancer treatment and care to underprivileged girl-children. At the heart of this endeavour lies our firm belief that every child deserves access to top-notch healthcare. Through this small step, we reaffirm our commitment to fulfilling this noble cause. With ‘Project Khwaish,’ we aim nurture a promising and healthier future for the children”

Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of AYUSH, and Ports, Shipping and Waterways, was the Chief Guest at the Closing Ceremony of AYUSH Wellness Camps organized by Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) yesterday at Sagar Manthan, Transport Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India, Shri Ghanshyam Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director of HCL, and other senior officers from the Ministry of Mines, Ministry of AYUSH and HCL. The camps at the Corporate Office, Kolkata, and at the five Units of HCL joined the ceremony through video conferencing.

As a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, HCL, a Central Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India., has been organizing a series of AYUSH Wellness Camps (75 in number) since March this year, to enhance the consciousness about the efficacy of AYUSH therapy in and around its units and offices. This was in line with AKAM’s theme-based campaign, “Health and Wellness”. While 21 AYUSH wellness camps were organized in Khetri Copper Complex in Rajasthan, 23 were held in Indian Copper Complex in Jharkhand, 21 in Malanjkhand Copper Project in Madhya Pradesh, 5 in Taloja Copper Project in Maharashtra, 3 in Gujarat Copper Project and 2 in Kolkata, where the Company is headquartered.

At the closing ceremony, a brochure with glimpses of the AYUSH Wellness Camps organized by HCL in the remote areas of the country was released by the Hon’ble Union Minister of AYUSH. A short film on the AYUSH Wellness camps conducted by the Company, along with video testimonials of some of the beneficiaries, was also screened before the August gathering.

Extensive campaigns were carried out by HCL, focusing on the National AYUSH Mission, to enhance the outreach of these camps. Highly skilled AYUSH practitioners were engaged to provide free consultations to the beneficiaries, addressing their health concerns. Free medicines were distributed at these Camps where the locals came down in masses.

Bangalore,5th August 2023 Meril, a global Indian medical device company launched #TreatmentZarooriHai, a public awareness campaign in September 2022 and is ongoing. The aim of the campaign is to spread awareness amongst Indian citizens on specific diseases related to large joints (hip and knee) and heart (Aortic Stenosis and Coronary Artery Disease) through reliable and helpful information. The campaign #TreatmentZarooriHai intends to bridge the gap between patients, caregivers, and the medical fraternity.

Over the year, the campaign has been amplified with a robust marketing plan including digital, social media and micro-influencers. Thus so far, the campaign has garnered more than 10M impressions on social media and created an opportunity to see (OTS) of approx more than 20Mn pan India through print & television outreach over a period of 11 months.

In the campaign MS Dhoni is seen bringing the perfect touch of compassion to look after the elderly at home. With his soothing charisma, the message of treatment zaroori hai, aur aasan bhi is conveyed to audiences of all age groups across all platforms.

Mr. Sanjeev Bhatt, Sr. Vice President, Meril says “With the country deciding to focus on healthy living, it is crucial that we support the public with the most scientifically proved approach towards disease prevention and management of non-communicable diseases of the heart and bone. Initiatives like ‘treatment zaroori hai’ have resulted in increased awareness among the public. With #TreatmentZarooriHai, our goal is to ensure that we reach out to as many people and urge them to opt for timely diagnosis and treatment. We have taken an integrated approach so that we can reach out to not just patients (usually 40 years and above) but also their family members – children, grand-children that are digitally savvy.”

This National Bone & Joint Day, it is important to focus on joint pains. As age progresses, especially for the senior citizen, their agility and mobility are hampered due to severe joint pains that directly interfere with their ability to carry on with the daily chores. The most common conditions that normally lead to age-related joint pains are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and joint injuries.

Osteoarthritis(OA) is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is witnessed that around 15 crore Indians, majorly above the age of 50, suffer from some or the other kind of knee-related issues due to familial history, age-related degeneration, lack of physical activity, obesity, lifestyle diseases, and inflammatory ailments. Even though more than 2.5 lakh people undergo total knee replacement surgery in India every year, people are still afraid of getting a knee replacement surgery done. However, advancements in medical technology have brought about innovative treatment options, including robotic joint replacement, which has revolutionized the way we approach osteoarthritis management.

Guwahati,4th August 2023 HelpAge India, a non-governmental organization addressing the needs of vulnerable elders, today launched a Mobile Healthcare Unit (MHU) in Guwahati district in partnership with Procter and Gamble Health Limited under their CSR initiative – SEHAT committed to contributing towards building a healthier India.

“The newly launched Guwahati MHU will enable us to provide quality healthcare support to vulnerable and disadvantaged elderly at their doorstep, a much-needed service in the district. Approximately, over 40,000 treatments will be provided every year to senior citizens and their communities. P&G Health Ltd. has been a long-standing partner with HelpAge India through its SEHAT initiative and extends continued support for our eldercare projects, including our healthcare projects in Puri (Odisha) and Khandwa (Madhya Pradesh). We greatly value this partnership with P&G Health,” said Rohit Prasad, CEO, of HelpAge India.

Mr. Milind Thatte, Managing Director, Procter and Gamble Health Ltd., along with Sharmila Majumder, Territory Head – West Bengal and North East were present at the launch event and flagged off the MHU from Gobardhan Grant village in Kamrup Metropolitan District.

Speaking about this initiative Milind Thatte, Managing Director, Procter & Gamble Health Limited, said, “We believe that every individual, regardless of age, deserves access to quality healthcare. We have partnered with HelpAge India since 2020, when we first started supporting their Mobile Healthcare programs in Mumbai to offer essential primary health services to disadvantaged elderly at their doorstep. By launching the Mobile Healthcare Unit in Guwahati today, we reaffirm our commitment to improve the well-being of the disadvantaged elderly in the rural areas around Guwahati. We will continue our interventions through SEHAT thereby facilitating more people live healthier lives across all levels of the society.”

HelpAge operates one of Asia’s largest mobile healthcare programs. With these additions, the total strength of HelpAge India’s MHU network throughout the country is now 160. Each year, the MHUs provide medical relief and treatment to more than eight lakh disadvantaged elders and their communities, covering some of India’s most remote regions, where basic healthcare is virtually inaccessible.

The mobile healthcare programme saves poor elders from long queues at hospitals, along with transportation and medicine costs. With the support of partners like Procter and Gamble Health Limited, it provides free medication on a weekly basis. The MHU team keeps a constant monitor of the health of the poor elder beneficiaries. Beneficiaries are provided health cards and records of their treatment are maintained. Along with this, it also undertakes basic diagnostics, home visits by doctors (in the case of bedridden patients), and counselling of patients, the elderly, family members, and caretakers.

4th August 2023 As the country witnessed heavy rainfall and flooding over the past few weeks, MediBuddy, India’s largest digital healthcare platform, has reported a significant increase in the number of conjunctivitis and eye flu-related cases. According to the data, there is an increasing trend in patients seeking medical advice for various eye-related problems. The most frequently reported issues include conjunctivitis, red eye with watering, discharge, and sticky lids in the morning. The platform reported a substantial increase in overall Ophthalmology consultations, surging from 1% last year to 2.6%, marking a significant 137% rise. Most cases are linked to conjunctivitis among young adults aged between 25 and 35 years, with an increase of 49%.

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as ‘pink eye,’ is an eye infection caused by viruses or bacteria that lead to inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the eye’s white part and the eyelids’ inner surface. The condition can be transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals, contaminated objects, or respiratory droplets. It can also have seasonal patterns, with some types more prevalent during specific times of the year. Symptoms of conjunctivitis include redness and inflammation of the eyes, itchiness and irritation, crusty eyelids – particularly after waking up, and a gritty sensation.

Dr. Gowri Kulkarni, Head of Medical Operations, MediBuddy says, “With the onset of the rainy season, we have seen a significant increase in consultations for conjunctivitis. Individuals need to stay vigilant about the symptoms and seek immediate doctor consultation. Conjunctivitis, though typically resolving independently, can be caused by different factors, and accurate diagnosis is crucial to prevent its spread and potential complications. I advise everyone experiencing conjunctivitis symptoms to seek medical attention promptly to manage the condition effectively.”

In light of the current situation, MediBuddy urges individuals to adopt preventive measures to curb the transmission of conjunctivitis. Frequent handwashing, avoiding touching the eyes with unwashed hands, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces are essential practices that can significantly reduce the risk of infection.

In addition to the surge in ophthalmology consultations, MediBuddy has also observed increased consultations in other medical specialties. A rise of 56% in weight management consultations for individuals seeking assistance in managing their weight to adopt a healthy lifestyle and overall well-being. Endocrinology consultations continue to rise and have increased by 67%, indicating a growing awareness of hormonal imbalances and their impact on overall health. Consultations related to pain management have witnessed a notable surge, soaring by 748% from 0.08% in 2022 to 0.74% in 2023. This is attributed to the growing demand for addressing pain-related problems from individuals suffering from chronic pain conditions and those seeking relief from acute pain.

India 4th August 2023: Hungama Artist Aloud, a platform that supports and promotes independent content, and Khazana – an annual concert that celebrates the art of ghazals, today announced the 6th edition of Khazana Artist Aloud Talent Hunt, India’s first and only talent hunt for Ghazal singers. The talent hunt will allow participants from around the world to participate in the contest, and see ghazal maestros, Pankaj Udhas, Anup Jalota, Rekha Bhardwaj, and Sudeep Banerji reprise their roles as judges. Making for a fitting finale, the competition will culminate with its 2 winners performing alongside the above-mentioned Ghazal legends themselves.

Speaking about the talent hunt, Soumini Sridhara Paul, Senior Vice President, Hungama Artist Aloud said, “We are delighted to extend our long-standing association with Khazana for the 6th edition of the Khazana Artist Aloud Talent Hunt. Right from the first edition, the talent hunt has celebrated the sheer brilliance of Ghazals and seen aspiring singers showcase their impeccable passion for them on a grand scale. Over the past three years, we’ve garnered an overwhelming response with more than <10,000+> participants from over <170> cities around the world. We are certain that performances of such talented Ghazal singers will inspire artists across the globe and give them the motivation they need to explore their talent further.”

Sharing his thoughts about the talent hunt, Pankaj Udhas said, “It brings me great joy to be a part of Khazana Artist Aloud Talent Hunt for its 6th edition. As the years go by, we see more and more fresh talent participating in the talent hunt. Through this association of Khazana and Hungama Artist Aloud, we once again look to inspire budding young talent from all over the world to come forward and show their love for Ghazals.”

Khazana – A Festival of Ghazals was founded by legendary ghazal singer and President, of the Parents Association Thalassemic Unit Trust, Pankaj Udhas, and Y.K. Sapru, Chairman and CEO, Founder and Director, of Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) with the support of ghazal maestros and Anup Jalota. Currently, in its 20th year, Khazana has excelled in preserving and promoting the exquisite art of ghazal singing by giving a platform to both, new and established ghazal singers. All proceeds from the festival go to the Parents Association Thalassemic Unit Trust (PATUT) and Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA).

Bangalore, 2nd August 2023 – Milann Fertility Specialist and the Rotary Club joined forces to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2023, organizing an insightful event that highlighted the significance of breastfeeding in maternal and child health. The event featured Dr. Payal, Senior Consultant in Reproductive Medicine and Fertility Specialist at Milann, who delivered a compelling talk on the importance of breastfeeding and its numerous benefits for both mothers and children.

As part of the global initiative coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO), this year’s theme, “Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a Difference for Working Parents,” emphasized the need for breastfeeding-friendly workplaces and policies that support working parents, particularly mothers, in their breastfeeding journey.

Dr. Payal’s talk captivated the audience, offering valuable insights into the crucial role breastfeeding plays in nurturing infants and promoting their overall well-being. Her expertise underscored the physical and emotional advantages of breastfeeding, encouraging mothers to embrace this natural and fundamental aspect of parenthood.

“We are delighted with the success of our collaboration with the Rotary Club for World Breastfeeding Week 2023,” said Lakshman TL, CEO of Milann Fertility Specialist “Dr. Payal’s talk was truly inspiring, shedding light on the immense benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and children. We are committed to promoting maternal and child health, and through this event, we aimed to raise awareness about the importance of supporting working parents in their breastfeeding journey. By creating a supportive environment for families, we can make a positive impact on the health and well-being of our community.”

World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated annually from 1st to 7th August, is a global initiative that advocates for breastfeeding as a critical element in improving the health of babies worldwide. Milann Fertility Specialist and the Rotary Club’s joint effort demonstrates their dedication to empowering parents and fostering a breastfeeding-friendly environment.

The event took place at Milann Fertility and Birthing Hospital, KumaraPark, Bangalore welcoming healthcare professionals, and the general public to participate in this essential discussion about the significance of breastfeeding support.

India, 2nd August 2023: NLB Healthcare, the healthcare subsidiary of NLB Services –leading global technology and digital talent solutions provider, today announced its strategic partnership with Nursing Norway AS, a part of the Focus Care Group and a market leader in the supply of healthcare personnel to the Norwegian healthcare system, and World Trade Center Pune India, an affiliate of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), a global network spread across 330 cities in 130 countries that foster international trade, to recruit train and deploy medical nurses from India to be employed in the Norway healthcare system.

Norway has one of the toughest criteria for recruiting working professionals outside the EU. This tri-partite partnership is the first industrial recruitment process being undertaken with an Asian country outside Europe.

The partnership seeks to establish a steady flow of talent to the Focus Care group of companies and also directly to Norwegian municipalities. By tapping the huge potential of the Indian healthcare workforce, this partnership is taking a giant leap in the right direction. The goal is to recruit 3000 nurses to the Norwegian market over the next 5 years.

Speaking on the strategic importance of this partnership Tommy Andre Iverson, CEO, Nursing Norway AS said, “We are creating a unique pathway for Indian nurses to gain full authorization to work in Europe and address the pressing challenge of nurse shortages in Norway. We have been impressed with Indian education standards and the quality of Indian nurses is more than adequate to meet the needs of the Norwegian healthcare system.”

Varun Sachdeva, SVP & APAC Head, NLB Services added, “At NLB Services, our purpose is to Bridge the Gap and we are well aware of the talent crunch for healthcare workers across the EU. This partnership is of strategic importance because it helps create new avenues and expand the talent ecosystem at the root level. While these are initial steps in the direction, we are sure that they will significantly address the gap in times to come”

Elaborating on World Trade Center’s role in facilitating this partnership Niraj Khinvasara, Chief Innovation Officer, World Trade Center Pune said, “We are very excited about this partnership. After the pandemic, we’ve seen a gap in skill-based labour especially in healthcare in many parts of the world. Programs like this will help ease the situation and contribute to the healthcare segment globally.”

The partnership will be a great platform to establish NLB Healthcare as a market leader in healthcare recruitment and set the stage for the program’s second phase, with ambitions to expand its reach to Europe and the rest of the world.

Hyderabad: 31st July 2023 Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils unveiled the new ‘Freedom Catch the Masala’ promotional offer to its customers. In the Freedom Catch the Masala offer, for every purchase of 1 Litre pouch/bottle of Freedom Refined Sunflower Oil the customer will get 1 Catch Garam Masala pack worth Rs. 10 free.

Freedom Refined Sunflower oil is fortified with Vitamins A & D. It is also rich in naturally occurring Vitamin E. It is thus a healthier choice for the entire family. Freedom is a leading brand of Sunflower oil and currently ranks No. 1 by market share in the Sunflower Oil category in India. (Source: Nielsen MAT March 2022).

According to Mr. P. Chandra Shekhara Reddy, Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils said, ”We are pleased to announce the new Freedom Catch the Masala offer where 1 packet of Catch Garam Masala will be given free with every 1 Litre (pouch/bottle) of Freedom Refined Sunflower Oil. We always explore avenues to create and maintain consumer excitement by enhancing customer value. With Freedom Catch the Masala offer we hope that the customers will get the Freedom to eat, Freedom to enjoy.”

New Delhi, 31st July 2023 A team of Indian doctors performed a rare two-way swap liver transplant, granting a new life to two foreign nationals hailing from Uzbekistan. Overcoming the challenges of ABO incompatibility, the medical team, devised an innovative solution where willing donors exchanged organs to match the blood groups of the recipients. The medical team conducted four simultaneous surgeries, exhibiting exceptional perseverance and achieving a ground-breaking milestone in medical history by saving the lives of both 41-year-old Gulyam and 51-year-old Matlubakhon.

The intricacy of the situation stemmed from the challenging ABO incompatibility between the patients and their designated donors. While Gulyam’s blood group was B, his son, who volunteered to donate, had blood group A. Similarly, Matlubakhon, who also required an urgent transplant, had blood group A, while her sister’s blood group was B.

ABO-incompatible transplants, where the blood type of the donor and recipient are not compatible have a high rate of rejection by the recipient’s body, and this apparent mismatch of blood groups posed a significant obstacle to the success of liver transplants. The immune system recognizes the transplanted organ as foreign and launches an immune response which leads to a potential rejection of the liver and endangers the life of the recipient.

Family swap liver transplants for foreign nationals are extremely rare as it demands the patient and donor to be of the same nationality and the donors being close relative. The procedure also necessitates that both surgeries take place simultaneously. Undeterred by the complexity of the situation, the Indian medical team led by Dr. Abhideep Chaudhary, Vice Chairman & HOD, HPB Surgery, and Liver Transplantation, BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital devised an innovative solution to address this life-threatening predicament.

“This remarkable swap liver transplant offered an extraordinary chance for a cure to both recipients who were in dire need of compatible livers. After gaining approval from both families and securing necessary clearances from the authorization committee, our medical team conducted all four surgeries simultaneously. The swap transplant is indeed a challenging and complex procedure both medically as well as logistically, the dedication and skill demonstrated by our medical team comprising of 20 doctors have played a pivotal role in achieving the remarkable result,” said Dr. Chaudhary.