Category health

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.”

Hyderabad, 10 March 2023: The Telangana Orthopaedic Surgeons Association conducted a successful Knee Arthroscopy Cadaveric Workshop at Kamineni Hospitals, L.B. Nagar, Hyderabad, on 9 March 2023. The workshop provided an exceptional learning opportunity for attendees from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to enhance their skills and knowledge of the latest surgical techniques in knee arthroscopy.

The workshop was conducted by experienced orthopedic surgeons. It mainly focused on practical learning using advanced equipment and cadaveric specimens. There were lectures on a range of topics, such as anatomic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, posterolateral corner reconstruction, meniscal injuries, graft harvesting technique, cartilage injuries of the knee, multi-ligament reconstruction of the knee, and Graft Selection for Knee Ligament Surgeries.

In the second half of the workshop, the attendees were given the opportunity to practice and refine their skills on cadaveric specimens under the guidance of expert instructors. The workshop aimed at creating awareness of keyhole surgeries which can result in less scarring and shorter recovery time, compared to traditional open surgery. Additionally, keyhole surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis, meaning patients can return home on the same day as the surgery.

Dr. Roshan Wade, an Orthopedic surgeon and Former Secretary of the India Arthroscopy Society, said, “The workshop was an excellent platform for attendees to acquire hands-on knowledge in the latest surgical techniques in knee arthroscopy. The cadaveric specimens provided an excellent opportunity for attendees to learn and practice these techniques under expert guidance.”

Speaking at the conference, Dr. P, S. Jaya Prasad, Senior Orthopaedic Surgeon, at Kamineni Hospitals, said, “It was an honor to host this workshop at Kamineni Hospitals. The workshop provided an excellent opportunity for attendees to gain practical knowledge of the latest surgical techniques in knee arthroscopy, and we are proud to have contributed to their professional development. We look forward to hosting more such workshops in the future, which will contribute to the advancement of medical education and patient care.”

Dr. Srinivas Kasha, Senior Orthopedic surgeon Secretary of Telangana Orthopedic surgeons association Said, “The Knee Arthroscopy Cadaveric Workshop was a huge success. The attendees expressed their gratitude for the opportunity offered to learn and practice the latest surgical techniques. The workshop was attended by orthopedic surgeons, residents, and medical students from different hospitals and medical colleges across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The workshop has set a benchmark in medical education and is expected to contribute to the advancement of patient care.”

Mumbai: Like every year, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road celebrated International Women’s Day with great fervor. The hospital conducted sessions on women’s rights and empowerment through its ‘I am Fearless’ initiative. Self-defence training workshop was also conducted to ensure the safety of women. Around 100 women from the Mira-Bhayander area participated in this event. The objective of the program was women empowerment (both Physically and Mentally).

Dignitaries present were Ms. Geeta Jain MLA, Dr. Ajay Dubey, President, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ms. Yasmin Siddique, Clinical Psychologist, Ms. Manasi Shrouti – Coordinator – Project | Health and Nutrition N Ward, Mumbai, Ms. Neha Singh, Journalist and other socialites and health experts.

Woman empowerment means the ability of women to make decisions when it comes to their life and work. Women should also be given equal rights in personal, social, economic, political, and legal fields. Women are working shoulder to shoulder with men and maintaining a balance in the families. Women have also established themselves as equal contributors to managing the financial needs of families. In view of discrimination against women in our societies, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road have come forward to highlight women’s rights and to empower them on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

Dr. Pankaj Dhamija, Centre Head, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, “We salute women and aim to celebrate womanhood and bring out the hero in every ‘her’. A woman’s safety remains a matter of concern in view of discrimination against them. The 1-hour panel discussion addressed issues such as, sexual harassment, domestic violence, girl child education and female foeticide and how organizations are working towards empowering women in fighting for their rights. We aim to mentally empower women through these sessions. Women are courageous and capable of transforming lives. They are entitled to live in dignity and freedom. Also, education is an important means of empowering women with the knowledge and self-confidence required for self-development. Self defence is vital for women in vital situations to avoid being shaken. The 2-hour training will help women to confidently assess any unsafe situation and navigate effectively.”

“Women often are subjected to violence and discrimination and they fail to raise their voices and suffer in silence. The informative sessions organized at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road helped us learn a lot. We could get hands-on experience regarding self-defence techniques that are beneficial in unfortunate incidents. We also had an insightful panel discussion on women’s rights and empowerment. We are looking forward to more initiatives to create awareness in society. We thank the hospital for celebrating us and motivating us to lead a better life,” concluded a participant.

New Delhi, March 08 2023: While the entire city is witnessing the Adenovirus claiming the lives of young children, Medica on the other hand is delighted to witness one such child going home, cured with ECMO support. After a month’s suffering from acute pneumonia caused by adenovirus, the proficient ECMO and Cardio-Pulmonary Critical Care team at Medica Superspecialty Hospital revived Aryav Suman a 5-year-old child, suffering from severe viral pneumonia affecting both lungs. Under the care of Medica ECMO team, headed by Dr. Dipanjan Chatterjee ECMO Physician, and Critical Care Specialist at Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata, gradually his lung compliance improved, he was taken off from ECMO after 18 days and finally discharged from the hospital on 2nd March 2023.

Aryav was suffering from a cough and fever for around five days and developed respiratory distress at his residence in New Alipore, Kolkata on 29th January 2023. His condition failed to improve despite initial medication, so his parents rushed him to a nearby nursing home, where his oxygen saturation level began to drop even with oxygen support. Given his condition, the hospital advised the child’s family to transfer him to another private hospital near EM-Bypass that has a specialised paediatric intensive care unit. However, despite receiving maximum ventilation support at the hospital, the child’s oxygen saturation did not improve. On 30th January at 2:00 am at night, Medica’s ECMO team was contacted by the private hospital for urgent admission of the child under Paediatric ECMO support.

The ECMO team took prompt action and examined him with a viral panel test, which revealed adenovirus and rhinovirus infection. In addition, the child had streptococcus pneumonia, which aggravated his condition. He was immediately put under VV-ECMO (Veno-Venous ECMO) support and was being closely monitored. After the initial revival, his tracheostomy (an opening created at the front of the neck so a tube can be inserted into the windpipe (trachea) to help you breathe) was done. He was taken off ECMO support after an 18-day battle between life and death. Following another 7 days, his oxygen support was also taken off as his saturation level improved.

After nearly a month in the hospital, the child was discharged and returned to the care of his family and friends with a very satisfying evaluation, on March 2, 2023.

Dr. Dipanjan Chatterjee who led the ECMO team, said, “Medica is the only hospital where we have the most advanced Paediatric ECMO facility, which can save many kids, suffering from adenovirus across the city and beyond. We are extremely happy that little brave heart Aryav has completely recovered from adenovirus through effective use of ECMO. The child was in a critical situation because the virus had affected both of his lungs, causing disability in breathing, despite oxygen support. However, paediatric ECMO support helped him in the gradual improvement of his lung and respiratory function. A case like this was only curable because of the prompt referral, timely intervention with ECMO, and meticulous critical care. We are grateful to his family for their support and equal participation in this long battle.”

Mr. R. Udayan Lahiry, Director, of Medica Synergie Pvt Ltd, said, “Medica has the largest ECMO program in this part of the world. We feel blessed to be able to help and assist people during medical emergencies. We wish the child a very happy and healthy life.”

Medica always believed in bringing world-class critical care and organ support treatment like ECMO and the Heart/Lung Transplant program, while revolutionizing the entire healthcare ecosystem in Eastern India.

Mumbai, 8 March 2023: In commemoration of International Women’s Day celebrated worldwide on the 8th of March, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, one of India’s largest networks of eye hospitals, is conducting free eye checkup camp for women of all age groups across all branches in Mumbai till March 31, 2023. For registration, contact 080-48193434.

The hospital has made special arrangements for screening for certain eye diseases and disorders that women are at a higher risk of getting, and the prevalence rate of which has seen a rise among women in recent times. Such issues include ocular manifestations of autoimmune diseases, dry eye, low vision, thyroid eye diseases, and refractive errors. Dr Agarwals Group of Eye Hospitals has also launched their new state-of-the-art Eye Hospital in Chembur.

Dr. Nita A Shah, Head – Clinical Services, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, Chembur, Mumbai, said, “Biological sex differences affect ocular structure, gene expression and other functions of eye that influence eye health. Pregnant women could develop gestational diabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels become high during pregnancy, and some may develop diabetic retinopathy, vision issues caused by damage to blood vessels in the eye. Pregnancy can also cause dry eyes, and light sensitivity. Hormones in birth control pills can cause vascular changes, indirectly contributing to vision problems.”

Menopause and perimenopause, the time when the body makes the natural transition to menopause, usually accompany a dip in estrogens, a group of hormones. When estrogens drop, the oil glands in the eye produce less lubrication, causing dry eyes and blurry vision.

“About 80% of those affected by autoimmune issues are women. Eye inflammation is one of the many possible effects of autoimmune diseases such as lupus, psoriasis, Reiter’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and uveitis. Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder, which results in overproduction of the thyroid hormone affects more women than men. Thyroid eye diseases affect 16 in 100,000 women, while only 3 in the male population of equal size” added Dr. Nita A Shah.

Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital will also conduct awareness sessions on the steps women have to take to minimize the risks of eye diseases that arise from factors exclusive to them: hormonal surges during pregnancy, menopause, and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, among others. The month-long eye checkup and awareness campaign of the hospital throughout Mumbai would make women aware of the risks, better informed and would result in early diagnosis and early intervention for better eye health outcomes.

The 8th edition of the 7km race for patients with rare diseases will be held in New Delhi on March 12

New Delhi, March 2023: To commemorate World Rare Disease Day, the Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI) is holding the 8th edition of Racefor7®️ on March 12 in New Delhi. An annual event by ORDI to raise awareness for the rare disease community and advocate better policies and access to treatment for rare disease patients, RaceFor7 is a seven kilometer walk/run/cycle symbolizing 7000 known rare diseases, the average of 7 years it takes to diagnose a rare disease and the 70 million estimated rare diseases patients in India. The event is open to the general public and will see participation from rare disease patients and their families too. Registration details are available at racefor7.com. Dr Neerja Gupta, Additional Professor, Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, AIIMS, New Delhi and Prasanna Kumar Shirol, Co-founder and Executive Director, ORDI addressed the media.

Besides New Delhi, the event is being held in 12 other cities nationally including Davangere, Mysuru, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kochi, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Thiruvananthapuram.

Dr Neerja Gupta, Additional Professor, Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, AIIMS, New Delhi comments on the race, “Rare diseases now have a special place among many other medical conditions, thanks to the declaration of rare disease policy and steps taken by the government towards its implementation. Despite diagnostic technological advancements, awareness of these conditions at the grassroots level is still required for suspicion and timely referral, which can facilitate early diagnosis and opens the possibility of timely initiation of therapy which is available for a few but evolving very rapidly, improving not only the patient’s but also the entire family’s quality of life. “Treatment without prevention is simply unsustainable,” and this is especially true for genetic diseases where prevention is possible through newborn screening and prenatal diagnosis. We congratulate ORDI members on their unwavering commitment to raising public awareness for recognizing, preventing, and caring for rare disorders through this walkathon.”

“We are thrilled to bring Racefor7 back to an in-person event after a virtual event the last two years because of the pandemic,” said Prasanna Kumar Shirol, co-founder and Executive Director, ORDI. “Racefor7 is one of the world’s largest multi-city events to raise mass awareness about Rare Disease. Racefor7 aims to create awareness and the need of preventive measures to contain Rare Diseases such as Consanguineous Marriages, Prenatal Tests, and Informed decision about childbirth, New Born Screening, Precision Healthcare and Innovation etc. Thanks to the Central Government, today we have a National Policy for Rare Diseases. This is just the beginning of recognition of Rare Diseases in India. We still need to address the many challenges that this patient community faces like complete care and support for all Rare Diseases, Local Drug Development, and Insurance Coverage etc.

It’s time that all the state governments come forward and take the initiative to join hands with the central Government and extend support from their side. This calls for more support and we request all of you to come forward, participate to make this movement bigger by creating more awareness about the Rare Disease patients in India.”

“Need of the hour is indigenous drug development for the rare diseases. The National Rare Disease Policy, 2021 states that pharmaceutical industries would be encouraged to develop drugs for rare diseases. The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) will be roped in to create a conducive policy framework for domestic pharmaceutical companies to focus on the research development and manufacturing of indigenous drugs for curing rare diseases”, comments Mr Samir Sethi – Chairman -ORDI Advocacy Committee and President Indian Rett Syndrome Foundation

Racefor7 is a step towards building awareness for rare diseases as also raising funds to meet the needs of the rare disease community. Globally, Rare Disease Day is observed every year on the last day of February Month. It plays a critical part in building an international rare disease community that is multi-disease, global, and diverse but united in purpose. Though Rare Disease Day is patient-led, everyone including individuals, families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, clinicians, policy makers, industry representatives and the general public can participate in raising awareness and taking action today for this vulnerable population who require immediate and urgent attention. Racefor7®️ is one such event in India.

New Delhi, 06th March 2023: Glamyo Health, a healthcare brand that specialises in elective and cosmetic surgeries, has been on a mission to make quality secondary surgical care affordable to the aspiring middle class of India.

To this end they have entered into a strategic collaboration with multiple healthcare financing partners to convert the medical bills of its patients into easy and affordable Equated Monthly Instalments (EMIs) at no interest and additional charge to the patient. The tie-ups with Fibe (previously Early Salary), Bajaj Finance, Mahila Money, GMoney, and Unofin would empower the mid-income groups to get these wide varieties of secondary care surgeries done on time without having to worry about medical finances disrupting financial harmony.

With the intention to establish an affordable healthcare system that is easy to finance, Glamyo Health has created various innovative products with financing partners to offer Salary Advances, Instant Personal Loans, Cards, and Buy Now Pay Later options to pay for treatment. Patients and caregivers under this proposition, can now seamlessly avail of Healthcare financing from ₹ 10,000 – 1,50,000, depending on the surgical case.

Archit Garg, Co-Founder, Glamyo Health said, “Healthcare in India faces great inequality. A privileged few have either medical insurance or enough money to access quality care viaprivate hospitals. Most of the population have no option but to avail medical services from public systems where quality can vary significantly. It is a multifaceted challenge to make healthcare available, accessible, and affordable to all citizens. To address a whole set of healthcare problems and financing holistically, Glamyo healthcare is pleased to collaborate with some well-known financing partners. Of All the patients that we are supporting atleast 20 percent are availing financing options. ”

Dr. Preet Pal Thakur, Co-Founder, Glamyo Health said, “ We started Glamyo Health with one simple motive of easing out the surgical experience of middle class Indians. Most of the population is just one bad healthcare outcome away from being pushed into poverty making healthcare financing the key parameter. Over the last 24 months, we have helped more than 650,000 patients in their surgical journey and over the next 12 months, we intend to disburse healthcare financing worth INR 100 Cr to ease out their financial burden”

Glamyo Health offers financial assistance for all minimally invasive elective surgeries, of various categories such as proctology, laparoscopy, urology, vascular, ophthalmology, gynaecology, cosmetic, ENT, orthopaedic, and dental. The healthcare brand only requires checking a few things, such as credit history and monthly income, before they can involve their financing partners to help their patients. The average cost of treatment for a patient who doesn’t have insurance is

1. Cosmetic Surgeries is ₹ 40,000-60,000;

2. Piles Surgery is ₹ 40,000,

3. Kidney Stones Surgery is ₹ 60,000,

4. Vascular Surgery is ₹ 100,000,

5. Ophthal Surgery is ₹ 50,000, and

6. Dental Surgery is ₹ 40,000.

Glamyo Health

Glamyo Health is a full-stack healthcare service provider with 450+ partner hospitals across 30+ cities. With 250+ highly experienced surgeons in various medical fields, Glamyo Health provides patients with a hassle-free experience from admission to discharge, including 24*7 personalised assistance, free insurance documentation, free OPD consultation, second medical opinion with medical experts, discounted medicines and diagnostic tests, free pick-up and drop on the day of surgery, and post-surgery follow-ups. All treatments are available to patients with the touch of a button and at the nearest Glamyo-affiliated hospitals, eliminating the requirement for patients to travel to major cities.

India March 6, 2023: MediBuddy, India’s largest Digital Healthcare Platform, released data indicating that men have taken more health check-ups than women in the last six months. The statistics showed that men accounted for 60% of the total health check-ups done by the digital healthcare platform, while women only accounted for 40%. Additionally, there was a 10% difference in total doctor consultations, with more men seeking consultations than women. This data comes to light as we celebrate International Women’s Day this week and highlights the need to raise awareness about women’s health in India.

Traditionally, Indian women have prioritized the well-being of their loved ones over their own, leading to neglect of their health. The female body undergoes constant changes and requires monitoring at every stage, but many women have relied on home remedies or ignored health complications, leading to a rise in health emergencies. Social conditioning, stigma, and lack of knowledge about menstruation and reproductive health have also deterred women from seeking healthcare. Additionally, women’s multiple roles as daughters, wives, mothers, and professionals often leave them with limited time for self-care. The emergence of digital consultations offers women an opportunity to overcome these barriers and more openly discuss their health concerns.

The data has brought forward the underlying concern of neglect of healthcare by women in the nation and highlights the lack of awareness both in the metros and the Tier II & III centres. Among the metros, Bengaluru tops the list with 25% of women taking health check-ups followed by Delhi at 15% and Hyderabad at 10%. Other prominent metros like Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai lag in women’s participation in health consultations and check-ups. Women sought the highest number of consultations in categories such as Gynaecology, Dermatology, Pregnancy-related issues, Orthopaedics, and general check-ups.

Dr. Gowri Kulkarni, Head of Medical Operations, MediBuddy said, “Today women are at par with men in every walk of life, however, women are trailing where healthcare is concerned. Culturally, women with their varied roles in a family set up be it as a daughter or a wife or a mother tend to prioritise the well-being and health of their family over themselves. The recent data underlines the urgency of promoting awareness of good health among women. Women with their varied responsibilities managing home and work tend to feel pressed for time and may not actively reach out for consultations or health checks. However, Teleconsultations can make it easy for women to seek help and manage their health better. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it is befitting to encourage the women in our lives to seek regular advice from health experts and not wait for serious emergencies.”

Throughout March, MediBuddy is providing exclusive health check-up packages and doctor consultations for women at a discounted price. Women of all ages can benefit from the Women’s Primary Prevention Health Checkup, which is offered at INR 1500. Additionally, the Women’s Staying Strong Health Checkup, which is suitable for women aged between 18 to 40 years, is being offered at INR 2699. Women aged 40 years and above can avail themselves of the Women’s Golden Gift Health Checkup at INR 4250. Make the most of these packages from MediBuddy to prioritize your health and well-being.

MediBuddy’s vision is to make high-quality healthcare accessible to a billion people. Through our campaign #HerHealthMatters, MediBuddy urges all women to take care of themselves first and all men to give the #giftofgoodhealth to their women. The campaign #HerHealthMatters encourages women to prioritize their health and take the necessary steps to maintain it. Regular health check-ups, a balanced diet, and exercise can go a long way in ensuring a healthy lifestyle. After all, good health is not just an individual’s responsibility but a collective effort of the entire family.