Kolkata, 11th May 2022: Apollo Cancer Centre, Kolkata, the hospital which offers world-class treatment for oncology, successfully treated a 63-year-old elderly male through Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) without surgery. Mr. Ashok Ray (name changed on request) approached Apollo Cancer Centre where he was diagnosed with Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma, commonly known as Bile Duct cancer.The patient underwent a detailed examination and the evaluation showed a 3X3.3 cm segment VII liver lesion which turned out to be Cholangiocarcinoma on biopsy. In the beginning, the patient was aligned to be treated via surgery but later tests showed that surgery was not viable for this specific case. This posed a unique challenge in treating the patient without surgery.As an alternative, the lead doctor, Dr. Sayan Paul, Senior Radiation Oncologist at Apollo Hospitals, Kolkata, along with the experienced team of expert clinicians decided to treat the patient with Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy. SABR is a completely painless procedure wherein a highly focused and targeted high-energy X-ray is delivered with high precision to kill the cancer cells in the targeted organ. A total of 5 sessions of SABR were executed to treat the patient. The procedure was well tolerated by the patient without any complications. Post 3-months of completion of the treatment in March 2022, the patient’s health condition was reviewed to find out the presence of any further cancerous development but the disease had completely been treated.Commenting on the successful treatment, Dr. Sayan Paul, Senior Radiation Oncologist at Apollo Hospitals, Kolkata, said “It’s astounding how technology has changed the cancer treatments in the last couple of years. When I first met Mr. Ray and we did a thorough diagnosis of the case, it seemed simple and treatable with surgery. At a later stage, we understood that this unique case due to issues of age and other implications, could only be treated with SABR. The patient’s trust and Apollo’s expertise in technology and oncology led to another successful treatment. With the support from highly professional doctors and nurses, we were able to turn this case around and support Mr. Ray to be treated completely.”Sharing his thoughts on this case, Dr. Shaikat Gupta, Director – Surgical Oncologist, Apollo Cancer Centre, Kolkata, said, “It’s a matter of pride for us at Apollo Cancer Centre, Kolkata, to treat the most critical of cases with finesse and expertise to achieve desirable results. Dr. Paul and the team did a commendable job in treating this case with the right knowledge, tools, and technology. ACC Kolkata is one of the most advanced cancer centers in Eastern India that has best-in-class infrastructure and technical setups to treat the most complex of cases. With our aim towards helping our society to treat cancer, we hope to continue to touch lives positively.”With the adoption of newer techniques and technologies in the field of oncology, the landscape of the industry has evolved and changed the perception of cancer as a disease. At Apollo, the focus and action plans are centered on the patient and their individual needs. The 360-degree specialized care with the most advanced technology is provided to the patients who put their trust in Apollo’s experienced and dedicated team of doctors, clinicians, and nurses.

Apollo Hospitals, Chennai under the guidance of Neuro Endovascular Surgeon Dr. Srinivasan Paramasivam and Interventional Neurologist Dr. Karthikeyan organized a special event to honour and celebrate the heroic journeys of stroke survivors. The event was attended by a host of luminaries namely Justice K Kumaresh Babu, Hon’ble Judge of the Madras High Court, Mr. Vinay, GST Deputy Commissioner, Chennai, Mrs. Bharathi Baskar, Tamil orator and public speaker, Mr. Senthil, actor and Mr. Rajmohan, motivational speaker. The day-long event was organized to raise awareness on stroke and emphasize the need for early intervention in quality stroke care. More than twenty stroke survivors were honoured with awards for fighting back and recovering from the condition. The Apollo Stroke Network was also launched at the event.Stroke is a major public health challenge in India and across the world. It is one of the leading causes of acquired disability and mortality and places considerable socio-economic strain on patients and their families. There are two types of stroke, namely ischemic stroke — caused due to reduction in blood supply to a part of the brain and hemorrhagic stroke — caused due to leakage of blood into a part of the brain. Nearly 80% of stroke cases are due to blood clots (ischemic) and 20% cases are due to bleeding (hemorrhagic).Time is the most important factor in stroke management as 1,90,000 brain cells are lost every minute during a stroke attack. When a stroke patient reaches the hospital within 24 hours of onset, symptoms can be reversed with either clot-busting drugs or a pin-hole procedure called mechanical thrombectomy (where a stent retriever is used to remove a clot from the affected blood vessel).A stroke can attack anyone at any point in time. It is no longer a disease of the aged. Recent data suggests that strokes are being increasingly reported by one in four individuals above 25 years of age. However, the stroke risk increases with age and doubles for every decade a person is alive after the age of 55. Around 13 million suffer from stroke every year globally and nearly 10,000 people are affected by stroke in Chennai every year. COVID-19 has increased the incidence of stroke as the virus is known to aggravate clotting among individuals with co-morbidities such as diabetes and hypertension.Ms Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “Apollo Hospitals is delighted to launch the Apollo Stroke Network to respond to the needs of those with specific neurological conditions. We at Apollo appreciate that every minute counts and our stroke response model is designed on that principle. We also hope that the journeys of the survivors will enlighten and inspire stakeholders elsewhere to collaborate and fashion stroke care models that will greatly benefit their communities.”Dr. Srinivasan Paramasivam, Head of Neuroendovascular Surgery at Apollo Hospitals presented the structure of Apollo Stroke Network. Stroke being a time sensitive disease, protocol-based care with timely treatment is warranted. Organized network among Apollo Hospitals in Chennai to expedite the advanced care of stroke patients. Advanced care includes Neuroendovascular treatment of ischemic stroke like Mechanical Thrombectomy and Endovascular and Microsurgical treatment of Hemorrhagic stroke. By offering this treatment, we become the Comprehensive Stroke Center in the region and the largest stroke care network.Speaking about advances in stroke care Dr. Karthikeyan, Interventional Neurologist, Apollo Speciality Hospitals, said, “The emerging stroke treatments that we see today are time-dependent. We presently have 4.5 hours as the recognized time limit to initiate an intravenous thrombolysis in an indicated patient. Any sudden neurological development should be considered as a warning sign of stroke. Symptoms such as sudden vision loss, double vision, dizziness, vertigo, instability are key to understanding the condition. Awareness about stroke, the importance of time in stoke management and stroke prevention methods are abysmally low in our community. We are pleased to join hands with stroke survivors to help create more awareness around this critical concern.”

~To serve patients across Oncology, Orthopaedic, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Gastrointestinal, Rheumatology, Internal Medicine, Physical Medicine specialities~~Will address both Acute and Chronic pain problems through a multidisciplinary approach to Pain Management~~Will provide research data for Artificial Intelligence (AI) implementation in developing newer modalities of Pain Management~Kolkata, July 9, 2022: A group of medical professionals working with the motto of pain relief came together to form the Indian Society for Study of Pain (ISSP) on July 9, 1984 at Varanasi. This day is observed as Pain Foundation Day to mark the birth of ISSP which is a not-for-profit and professional body representing medical professionals working in the field of Pain Medicine, committed to patient care, education, training and research in Pain Medicine.On the occasion of Pain Foundation Day, Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals, Kolkata announced the launch of a ‘Comprehensive Pain Clinic’ for patients needing Pain Management for both Acute and Chronic cases. The Pain Clinic at Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals, Kolkata will bring together an experienced team of multidisciplinary specialists under one roof. Staffed by expert care givers and supported by world-class facilities, the clinic will aim to deliver the best outcomes for patients.Mr Rana Dasgupta, CEO, Eastern Region, Apollo Hospitals said “Pain Management program is a new rapidly developing super speciality. In fact ISSP’s focus is to achieve endorsement of pain medicine as a super speciality by the National Medical Council. We at Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals realise that there is a great need to provide good pain management to a variety of patients who come to the Oncology, Orthopaedics, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Gastrointestinal, Rheumatology, Internal Medicine and Physical Medicine departments. This Comprehensive Pain Clinic will adopt a multidisciplinary approach to Pain Management wherein Rehabilitation Medicine and Psychotherapy will also be incorporated in the Pain Management protocols. There would be regular liaison and input from other specialities and this clinic will also provide research data for Artificial Intelligence (AI) implementation in developing newer modalities of Pain Management.”Dr Surinder Singh Bhatia, DMS (Director Medical Services), Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals, Kolkata said “A specialised approach always provides better outcomes. This is true for both Acute as well Chronic Pain. This Pain Clinic would help treat patients with postoperative pain, post traumatic pain as well as patients with rapidly developing malignancy. A great benefit can be provided to patients with Chronic Back Pain, Fibromyalgia, Hip Arthritis, Osteoarthritis of Knee, Neuropathic conditions, Chronic Cancer Pain, Herpes, Shingles, Trigeminal neuralgia etc.”Dr P.N. Mahapatra, Director, Medical Oncology, Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals, Kolkata said “The increasing burden of cancer in India is worrisome and along with this cancer pain is also expected to increase. While most cancer pain is manageable, unfortunately cancer pain is often undertreated. In some cases doctors do not ask patients about pain or offer them treatment, sometimes patients are reluctant to mention about their pain and some simply fear the side effects of pain medication. We at Apollo want to inform our patients that controlling your pain is an essential part of your treatment and through this Pain Clinic we shall endeavour to improve your quality of life”Dr Abrar Ahmed, Director, Spine Surgery, Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals, Kolkata said “One of the impact of Covid was that large number of people started Working from Home (WFH) Unfortunately this also meant prolonged working on the computer – often in a bad posture, and sedentary lifestyle. Coupled with rising obesity, cases of Low Back Pain (LBP) are also on the rise and we would urge people suffering from LBP to come forward and consult the Pain Clinic at Apollo”Dr Tanmoy Das, HOD, Anaesthesia, Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals, Kolkata said, “Modern medicine incorporates Pain Management as a separate speciality – a super speciality. Pain Clinic is the backbone and the center point of this service. Pain Management Doctors who undergo specialised training and courses first find out the story behind a patient’s pain and provide treatment based on the cause of pain – initially with medications and then with interventional pain management techniques. Interventional pain management procedures are highly specialised techniques done in the most minimally invasive way. Modern Pain Management has a very high success rate along with a very good safety profile and compared to invasive manoeuvres and surgical interventions, complication rates are far lesser which is beneficial for the patients” 

In a significant move to raise awareness about breast cancer and emphasize the importance of early detection, Apollo Proton Cancer Centres (APCC) along with the Department of Social Welfare & Women Empowerment, Government of Tamil Nadu, released a Self-Breast Examination Chart and Animated Video. The unveiling of this pivotal initiative took place at Commissioner of Social Welfare office in Chennai. The awareness video and chart will be played at 2286 Primary Health Centres, 434 Child Development Project Offices, 38 District Social Welfare Offices, 38 District Project Offices and 38 Collectorate Offices and all Corporations.The Chart was unveiled by Ms. P Geetha Jeevan, Hon’ble Minister for Social Welfare & Women Empowerment Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, along with Thiru. Shunchongam Jatak Chiru, I.A.S Principal Secretary to Govt. Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Dept, Tmt. V. Amuthavalli, I.A.S Commissioner of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Dept, Tmt. S. P. Kaarthiga, I.A.S, Additional Director, Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Dept, Mr. Harshad Reddy, Director- Group Oncology & International, Apollo Hospitals Group, and key medical experts including, Dr. Sapna Nangia, Senior Consultant, Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Manjula Rao, Consultant Breast Oncosurgeon, Dr. Prasad E, Senior Consultant- Medical Oncologist, and Dr. Muktha Mahajan, Lead – Breast & Interventional Radiology.The Self Breast Examination Chart and Animated Video are aimed at empowering women with the right knowledge and skills to perform regular self-breast examinations, a critical step in the early detection of breast cancer. Early detection is a key factor in enhancing the chances of successful treatment and a better survival rate. This collaborative endeavor aligns with the commitment of both Apollo Proton Cancer Centres and the Tamil Nadu Government to enhance healthcare awareness and outreach to a larger audience. The Self Breast Examination Chart will be prominently displayed in over 2800+ Government centres across Tamil Nadu, ensuring that the message reaches women across diverse regions of the State.Sharing her thoughts on the impact of this initiative, Ms. P Geetha Jeevan, Hon’ble Minister for Social Welfare & Women Empowerment Government of Tamil Nadu, said, “Empowerment through knowledge is the key to women’s well-being. We are proud to be associated with this initiative that aims to educate women about their health, encouraging them to take charge and make informed choices. Our collaboration with Apollo Proton Cancer Centres brings an innovative way to promote health education and empower the women of Tamil Nadu in their own healthcare journey. These self-breast examination charts and videos are an essential tool to raise awareness and promote early detection of breast cancer, potentially saving countless lives across the State.”Dr Manjula Rao, Consultant – Breast Oncoplastic Surgery, highlighted the importance of early detection, saying, “Breast cancer is associated with excellent prognosis and survival when detected early. If detected before it spreads to the regional lymph nodes, 5-year survival outcomes are as high as 99%. Self-breast examination is a simple tool that women can use, to be mindful of their breast health and catch a breast tumour early. While the majority of breast lumps are not cancerous, it is important to get them shown to a doctor who can rule them out. Painless breast lump, spontaneous nipple discharge, nipple retraction, skin redness, dimpling, non-healing ulcer, etc. are some signs and symptoms to look out for.”Dr. Prasad E, Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology, shed light on various methods available for early detection, stating, “Numerous methods are available for the early detection of breast cancer, with the goal of treating people on time. For women aged 40 and above, digital X-rays and mammograms are imperative. When there is a strong family history of cancer, early screening with ultrasounds, mammograms, and, in some instances, MRI scans are recommended to detect early lesions. The primary focus should always be on preventing breast cancer through lifestyle adjustments, even though the latest treatments offer exceptionally high cure rates.”Apollo Proton Cancer Centres continue to further the cause of Breast Cancer Awareness among women and their latest initiative with the Tamil Nadu Government represents a major stride towards improving women’s health and well-being in the region. Through knowledge and awareness, they are advocating early detection of breast cancer and ensuring that no woman’s health is compromised.

Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC) launched #SaveTheBreast campaign as part of a coordinated effort to advance women’s health and increase public awareness about breast cancer. This campaign attempts to promote breast conservation—a surgical operation that not only transforms the way breast cancer is treated but also impacts the Quality of Life after treatment.The campaign was inaugurated by Ms. R K RojaSelvamani, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Culture Youth Advancement and Sports, Government of Andhra Pradesh in the presence of Ms. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd Mr. Harshad Reddy, Director, Group Oncology and International, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd, Dr. Sapna Nangia, Director – Head Neck & Breast, Department of Radiation Oncology, APCC and Dr.Manjula Rao, Consultant – Breast Oncoplastic Surgery, APCC.In India, the statistics indicate that the risk of developing breast cancer is significant, as approximately one in 28 Indian women is likely to face this diagnosis during her lifetime. While the global diagnosis rate in 2020 was approximately one in every 1,703 women. India faced a higher mortality rate, with about 13 in every one lakh women succumbing to breast cancer, making it the most common cancer among women.Early detection and innovative treatment options, such as breast conservation, have significantly improved survival rates and the overall quality of life for patients. Breast conservation, or breast-conserving surgery, is a medical advancement that removes cancerous tissue while preserving a significant portion of the breast. This approach has transformed breast cancer treatment, offering benefits like breast preservation, improved cosmetics, body image, and psychosocial well-being. It reduces morbidity and maintains comparable survival rates to mastectomy, (mastectomy is a surgical procedure in which the entire breast tissue is removed from one or both breasts) thereby improving the quality of life for those undergoing treatment.Commenting on the occasion, Ms. R K RojaSelvamani, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Culture Youth Advancement and Sports, Government of Andhra Pradesh, stated, “The #SaveTheBreast campaign is an inspiring initiative that underscores the critical need for breast conservation. It not only empowers women but also represents a significant stride forward in the fight against breast cancer. I am honored to be a part of this momentous event, and together, we can save lives and enhance the quality of life for countless women.”Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Limited, expressed her keen support for the campaign by saying “Breast conservation represents a significant advancement in breast cancer care, preserving physical well-being and uplifting the emotional and psychological state of patients. At Apollo Proton Cancer Centres, we take immense pride in leading the charge to promote this life-changing approach to breast cancer treatment. It aligns perfectly with our mission of delivering holistic healthcare solutions and improving lives, all while empowering individuals to make informed choices and ultimately enhance their overall well-being.”Dr. Sapna Nangia, Director – Head Neck & Breast, Department of Radiation Oncology, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre said, “We are committed to providing the best possible care to cancer patients. The #SaveTheBreast campaign is a testament to our dedication to advancing treatment options and elevating the overall quality of life for our patients. We believe that by supporting breast conservation, we are not just treating the disease; we are nurturing hope and improving the well-being of those affected by breast cancer.”The launch event featured a distinguished panel of experts who engaged in a thought-provoking discussion on the importance of breast conservation in today’s world. Moderated by Ms. Prathibha Parameswaran, Manager of Branding & Communication at IIT Madras and Shaastra Magazine, the panel included inspiring breast cancer winner Ms. Ramalakshmi and medical experts Dr. Prithika Chary, Senior Neurologist & Post Chair, FICCI FLO – Chennai, Mr. Harshad Reddy, Director – Group Oncology and International at Apollo Hospitals Group, Dr. Sapna Nangia, Director – Head Neck & Breast at APCC, Dr. Manjula Rao, Consultant – Breast Oncoplastic Surgery, APCC and Dr. Prasad E, Senior Consultant in Medical Oncology, APCC.Over the past three years, APCC, through the expertise of skilled breast onco-surgeons and advanced surgical technologies, has successfully provided breast conservation to approximately 60% of its patients with varying clinical presentations, including complex cases. This achievement underscores the importance of oncoplastic techniques in breast cancer treatment.Due to the increasing rate of breast cancer, initiatives like #SaveTheBreast play a pivotal role in addressing this concern, empowering women to make informed choices about their breast cancer treatment.

 Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad received an award in the category of multispeciality Hospitals – Hub for Medical Tourism from Times Health Icons Ahmedabad – 2018, a Hospital Ranking Survey for listing top hospitals and clinics across various categories in Ahmedabad and Surat in 2018The objective of this research was to arrive at top Health Icons of Ahmedabad and Surat in their respective categories. The survey had four phases which included secondary research, nominations/factual data collections, perceptual survey and final data analysis and results.The other categories in which Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad bagged the number one position for its clinical excellence were Diabetology, Dermatology, Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery.Dr. Ramesh Goyal, Diabetology Department and Dr. Manoj Singh, Critical Care Department of Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad was also ranked as number one in the category of Single Speciality Eminent Doctors of the city.

In an effort to cater to those with GI-related ailments and scale greater heights in medical excellence, Apollo Hospitals has launched an Advanced Centre for Gastro-Intestinal Bleed on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. The Centre will offer treatment in line with international guidelines, with a view to improve outcomes for patients affected by GI-related conditions.The Centre will be driven by a team of skilled experts and equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure to offer speedy diagnosis and high-quality treatment for disorders of the digestive tract. This Centre will thus treat a range of ailments relating to the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, pancreas, liver, gallbladder and biliary system.Dr. K.R Palaniswamy, Senior Consultant, Gastroenterologist, Apollo Hospitals, said, “Apollo Hospitals is delighted to be launching this Advanced Centre for patients with GI-related ailments. We are seeing an increase in GI-related conditions due to factors such as lifestyle, diet and stress. This Centre is equipped to deal with a variety of GI-cases and disorders, by virtue of our clinical expertise and cutting-edge technology. GI Bleed manifests as either vomiting of blood (hematemesis) or passing blood through bowel movement. Since some of the GI Bleeds are life threatening in nature, it is of utmost importance that all patients be assessed on arrival, risk-stratified and managed accordingly. Timely assessment and treatment is the key here and will make a difference to the outcome. This Centre will work closely with the Blood Bank, diagnostic services and the interventional radiology team to offer cutting-edge treatment. Our goal is to save a life and that is what our team is striving to achieve.”GI bleed is a symptom of various ailments such as reflux, ulcers and cancer. The death rate for GI Bleed stands at around 10% – research has shown that having a dedicated Centre for GI Bleed can reduce this by more than 50%.

Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad has received “Entrepreneur and Excellence Awards 2018 organized by MY FM 94.3- Ahmedabad and Dainik Bhaskar Group in the category for ” Best Multispecialty Hospital and Excellence in Critical Care”Awards received by Dr Manoj Singh Critical Care Intensivists & Intervention Pulmonologist and Mr Sandip Joshi Dy. General Manager- Healthcare Services in the august presence of Dr Pawan Agrawal- Mumbai Dabbawalas and Mr Amit Doshi- COO of Divyabhaskar Group and a large gathering of Ahmedabad gentry.

35 to 40 MICS surgeries done every month, the highest in IndiaKolkata, May 19, 2022: Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals, Kolkata today announced the successful completion of over 4000 Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgeries (MICS) at its facility. MICS is a new avenue for heart surgery, which comes with a host of benefits. With an incision of 1.5 to 3 inch instead of 8 to 10 inch in the conventional open heart surgery, MICS is less painful and almost scar-less. It also involves early recovery with lesser duration of hospital stay post-surgery and early return to normal life.Earlier traditional open surgery was the only solution for CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting), Valve repair or replacement, closures of holes in heart etc. But now with the advancement of medical sciences the procedures done using MICS are Minimally invasive bypass surgery (MICS CABG), Endoscopic vein and radial artery harvesting, MICS aortic valve, Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery, Keyhole ASD closure and Coronary Bypass.This Keyhole Heart Surgery is performed using specialized surgical instruments. Heart attacks are responsible for 14.5% of all deaths in India and MICS CABG or keyhole bypass has emerged as an answer to patients suffering from coronary artery diseases. The doubts about being able to complete surgeries safely through this approach is circumvented. If MICS is adopted as a regular practice everywhere, people would consider MICS bypass over angioplasty and the figure of 14.5% will surely come down. And routine multi-vessel bypass would reduce mortality risk significantly.Dr Sushan Mukhopadhyay Director, Cardio Thoracic & Vascular Surgeon, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata, said, “MICS offers unmatched patient outcomes due to its multiple positive points. It’s safe, effective and delivers outstanding patient comfort. A patient opting for this procedure can return to his work within 2- 3 weeks and a normal life within 3 months, where as if he opts for a conventional procedure he would normally take 2-3 months to re-join work and 6 months to return to a normal life. It saves patients from pain as well as losing man hours. We have been doing MICS coronary artery bypass grafting since the last decade and have done more than 4,000 such surgeries.”95% of all cardiac surgeries including Bypass, valve replacement, closing heart holes, removal of cardiac tumors, pace maker implantation and others can be done through MICS. It is even safe for very elderly patients who are above 80-90 years of age with other major health ailments.MICS has several advantages over the conventional open heart surgery:Highly advanced instrumentation and advanced techniques allow for the operation to be performed very safelyNo bones are cutBlood loss is almost negligible eliminating blood transfusion leading to blood borne infectionsAll infections related to wounds or post-operative lung infections are reduced. This makes the surgery ideal for diabetics or patients who have poor resistance to infectionThe incision is very cosmetic and measures just 2-3 inches making it impossible to understand that a heart surgery has been done. This also reduces the possibilities of scarsThe hospital stay and recovery time in this case is minimal and the patient usually recovers within 7 days of the surgery under normal circumstancesSignificantly reduced risk factors in future surgeries

Brings in Induced Sputum Cell Count, an astounding diagnosis for lung diseasesKolkata, July 28, 2022: Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals, Kolkata today announced the launch of Induced Sputum Lab and becomes the first hospital in private healthcare space in Eastern India to bring in Induced Sputum Cell Count, an astounding diagnostic modality for treating lung diseases. It would be highly beneficial for patients suffering from severe asthma.Induced Sputum Cell count is a noninvasive method that primarily identifies type of inflammation associated with severe asthma thus making the introduction of appropriate treatment more precisely.  Without the Sputum Cell count the presence and type of airway inflammation can be difficult to detect which can delay the proper treatment. Induced sputum cell counts evaluate the presence, type, and degree of inflammation in the airways of the lungs. It is a procedure used for patients who have trouble producing sputum spontaneously, by helping them to cough up secretions. This is done by creating extra moisture in the airways of the lungs, which loosens and thins out secretion so that coughing out sputum is easy. The sputum induction test is a painless procedure. It involves breathing in different concentrations of saline (mild salty water) through a nebuliser and then carrying out cough-like movements to produce a sample of sputum. The nebulised hypertonic saline solution inhaled by the patient liquefies airway secretions, promotes coughing and allows expectoration of respiratory secretions. Present at the occasion, Dr Saibal Moitra, Adjunct Professor and Senior Consultant-Allergy & Immunology, Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals, Kolkata said “Induced Sputum cell counts have the advantage of providing information about the cellular nature of inflammation in patients with severe asthma. This aids in treatment decisions. The application of induced sputum in the assessment of airway pathology has grown rapidly. In the current guidelines for asthma, sputum eosinophils are placed as an evidence-based tool for assessing airway inflammation and, therefore, predicting and assessing corticosteroid response.” The induced sputum lab of Division of Allergy and Immunology of Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata is going to beneficial for all patients suffering from severe asthma or those who are not showing adequate response to therapy, who can be assessed by this test to decide about the right choice of medicines. 

Hyderabad, 21st December 2019: Hyderabad Valves – an association of Interventional Cardiologists, to bridge the knowledge gap on the latest advances in intricate cardiac interventions, and Apollo Hospitals, is hosting the two day 1st Hyderabad Valves Conference, on December 20th and 21st, 2019; at Hotel ITC Kakatiya. The Conference was formally inaugurated by the Chief Dr. K. Hari Prasad, President – Hospitals Division, Apollo Hospitals Group; Prof. Alain Cribier, a world-renowned pioneer in cardiac interventional procedures; and Prof. Helene Eltchaninoff, HOD, Cardiology, University DE Rouen. Also present on the occasion were Dr PC Rath and Dr Manoj Agarwala, Sr. Consultant Cardiologists, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad. The first edition of the Conference is focused on the latest interventional procedures TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) and TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) for effectively treating patients diagnosed with Aortic Stenosis (AS).Speaking on the occasion Dr. Hari Prasad said, it’s really a privilege to be amongst the masters here. Only a few get an opportunity to contribute big time to the world and one of them is Prof. Alain Cribier. 40% of the people with severe Aortic valve disease or stenosis, never had an opportunity to get operated as they were inoperable and were allowed to die, but this gentleman came up with this device and procedure and created a new ray of hope and a new life for people who didn’t have hope. India started off late in adopting this wonderful procedure of TAVI and TAVR, I would like to enlighten people here that India started the Minimally Invasive cardiac surgeries too much later than the world, but today has the pride of performing the largest series of such surgeries in the world. I would like to assure that despite the delayed start very soon we will hear India performing the largest series of TAVI and we will reach a point from where many more from the world will come and learn from us.Prof. Alain Cribier said this meeting is very special to me, as TAVI valves have finally reached India after so many years. I am happy to be back here, as I have been associated with India through Apollo hospitals for a few decades now and it has been part of the many innovations I brought in cardiac interventions over the years. Though started to work on this procedure in 2002, India was delayed in adopting it for many reasons, only in the last 2 to 3 years, TAVI cases are being performed in India, around 900 cases have been done during this period in India, but it’s a good beginning for a great journey ahead. We can look forward to this procedure growing exponentially in this country because of the high number of patients suffering from this disease and also due to the aged population increasing here, also the cost of the procedure will decrease with the volume of cases done here. With this Workshop, the learnings on this procedure will reach out to many cardiologists in the country and will give a spurt in the number of cardiologists performing this procedure and will in due course of time replace surgery in several cases. With this procedure success rate will be phenomenal with minimal complications, which is a good sign for India to adopt it fast.Prof. Helene Eltchaninoff said, the reason for the delay in adopting this procedure in India is the high cost of the device, which often is higher than the cost of the surgery. But this procedure is convenient and comfortable for patients, with minimal complications and speedy recovery, with the increase in the number of cases of TAVI being done here, the costs will come down and will be more accessible to deserving patients.Dr PC Rath said, this workshop will go a long way in popularizing TAVI procedure in India, as more and more will adopt it. The young cardiologists have the opportunity to learn about this here and the seasoned will get upskilled. In the 3 years since we adopted this procedure only 900 cases were done in India, with very few center having the competence. This workshop will be a turning point with Prof. Alain Cribier, himself sharing insights on it and we can see more and more cardiologists and Centers performing it in due course.The incidence of cardiovascular diseases, especially among Indians is on the rise over the years. It is turning out to be the biggest cause of mortality in the country, accounting for nearly 25 per cent of all mortalities in the age group of 25 to 69. Aortic Valve Disease or Aortic stenosis is one of the most prevalent valvular heart diseases and a significant contributor to the incidence.The cause for the Aortic valve stenosis is the narrowing of heart’s aortic valve, resulting in reduced or blocking of blood flow from the heart into the main artery of the body – the aorta, thereby limiting blood supply to the body organs. This reduction of the blood flow creates an artificial trough in the blood supply, making the heart work harder to pump blood and bridge the demand from the body. Eventually, this extra work limits the amount of blood heart can pump and this can cause symptoms as well as possibly weaken the heart muscle. Aortic valve stenosis is particularly common in those over the age of 75. Because of the advanced age of these patients, minimally invasive TAVI is the most appropriate procedure. TAVI is a catheter-based procedure that replaces a patient’s diseased native aortic valve with a bioprosthesis. Though TAVI is relatively new in India, it has become a routine procedure in the developed countries for inoperable and high-risk patients of aortic stenosis.Owing to increasing life expectancy, we are likely to see more and more patients with aortic stenosis and other degenerative valve conditions over the years to come. All these patients will immensely benefit from the patient-friendly and minimally risky TAVR. There are many FDA approved valves available for commercial use and many more are under development. However, the major prohibitive factors against the widespread application of TAVR in India seem to be the cost and expertise. This Conference will address the lack of expertise among Indian Cardiologists by spreading the knowledge and help them to fine-tune their proficiency and skills in these new techniques.We at Apollo have been at the forefront of bringing the latest technology and techniques to India. This is another initiative, aiming to familiarize the Indian Cardiologists with advanced techniques of TAVR. This, in turn, should immensely benefit the Indian patients in the years to come. There is no better authority than Prof. Alain Cribier himself, the father of the technique, to impart the finer skills of TAVR to our Cardiologists and make them master it, says Dr Hari Prasad.The inventor and pioneers of TAVI, Prof. Alain Cribier and Prof. Helene Eltchaninoff of De Rouen University, France, are imparting the skills to the delegates at the TAVI workshop. Utilizing the facilities at Apollo Hospitals, Prof. Alain Cribier and Prof. Helene Eltchaninoff will perform six such TAVI procedures during these two days. The workshop is providing an opportunity to over 300 cardiologists from India and South East Asia to learn from the masters of TAVI.Dr. Alain Cribier brought about several innovations in the sphere of Intervention Cardiology. He was the first to attempt balloon valvuloplasty way back in 1985 in an elderly patient with AS who was inoperable. The long term results, however, were not satisfactory. This led to the invention of percutaneous aortic valve replacement by Dr. Cribier and it was first done in a human 17 years ago in 2002. Although it was a fallback option for high-risk patients, now there are over 7000 trials/registries based on TAVR clearly stating its mark as a viable option for managing aortic stenosis, especially in the elderly irrespective of their surgical risk. Over 500,000 TAVRs have been performed worldwide over the past 17 yearsAbout Apollo HospitalsIt was in 1983, that Dr. Prathap Reddy made a pioneering endeavour by launching India’s first corporate hospital – Apollo Hospital in Chennai. Now, as Asia largest and most trusted healthcare group, its presence includes 8,488 beds across 51 Hospitals, 1,586 Pharmacies, 92 Primary Care and Diagnostic Clinics, 100 Telemedicine units across 10 countries. Health Insurance services, Global Projects Consultancy, 15 colleges of Nursing and Hospital Management and a Research Foundation with a focus on global Clinical Trials, epidemiological studies, stem cell & genetic research and the first Proton Therapy Centre across Asia, Africa and Australia.In a rare honour, the Government of India issued a commemorative stamp in recognition of Apollo’s contribution, the first for a healthcare organization. Apollo Hospitals Chairman, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, was conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in 2010. For more than 28 years, the Apollo Hospitals Group has continuously excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting-edge technology. Our hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals globally for advanced medical services and research.Call Us Now 08069991035

– Will include the most contemporary investigational approach to detect asymptomatic fatty liver and its treatmentKolkata, August 19, 2022: Liver cirrhosis became the buzzword for every Indian when the great actor Amitabh Bachchan was diagnosed with the condition. But liver cirrhosis is the final stage of what begins in a majority of people condition known as fatty liver. And contrary to popular perception, non-alcoholics are also prone to getting a fatty liver especially if there are issues like diabetes, obesity and abnormal blood cholesterol levels.Non-alcoholic Fatty liver is one of the most common disease in the world currently affecting about 30% of the global population. According to National Health Portal India, Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver diseases worldwide. NAFLD affects about 25% of the global population ranging from 13.5% in Africa to 31.8% in the Middle East. The overall prevalence of NAFLD in India has been reported to be close to 30% of the entire population and reaching more than 50 % in those with risk factors like obesity and diabetes.Fatty liver goes unnoticed most of the time as the disease doesn’t involve any pain or discomfort in the early stages. In an effort to raise awareness about this disease and to provide a holistic treatment for it, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals today announced the launch of the first ‘Comprehensive Fatty Liver Clinic’ in Eastern India. This clinic will adopt the most contemporary investigational approach to detect asymptomatic fatty liver and its treatment.As the disease has a silent presentation without any major warning symptoms it becomes important to have appropriate investigations. Hence is the importance of proactive testing like Liver Function Test (LFT) and Ultra Sound (USG). Apollo being the pioneer in healthcare brings the most advanced method of fatty liver test including Fibro Scan and MRI based tests like MRI-PDFF and MR Elastography for the first time in Eastern India. These tests can diagnose the disease at a very early stage, which in turn would help the patients recover faster and not land up at a very critical stage.Liver is considered fatty when the fat percentage in the organ becomes higher than 5%. People with diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity have about 50-60% chances of having fatty liver disease. Broadly there are 3 stages of fatty liver – Fatty Liver – Steatosis (NAFL), Liver Steatohepatitis (NASH) and Liver Cirrhosis. Among patients with NAFL, 20-25% go on to develop NASH and 10-15% land up having cirrhosis of liver, which is becoming the commonest cause for liver transplantation globally.With expected 55% increase of adults with Diabetes and +33% increase of adults with Obesity worldwide by 2035 (source: Bril F et al. Diabetes Care 2017, Finkelstein AJPM 2017) cases of liver diseases would also upsurge and the expected increase is by 63% between 2015 and 2030 (source: Younossi et al.J Hep 2018, Estes et al. Hepatol 2019)Present at the occasion, Dr Mahesh K Goenka – DME & Director & Head Institute of Gastrosciences & Liver Transplant Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals said, “Recent studies and findings have shown that about 35% patients with fatty liver are non-alcoholic and in such patients it’s difficult to reverse the damage because out of sheer unawareness the detection happens much later. Another common trend found in India in last couple of decades is the lean fatty liver, which is seen in people with no sign of obesity.  These patients also go unnoticed in the earlier stage of the disease if proactive testing is not followed. With early detection and lifestyle modification fatty liver is curable while it’s difficult to arrest the progression of the disease to cirrhosis if detected late.”Also present at the occasion, Dr Surinder Singh Bhatia – DMS (Director Medical Services) mentioned, “Fatty liver even though is more common in young people but it is also found in children with diabetes and/or obesity. Our Comprehensive Fatty Liver Clinic is equipped with all modern investigation methods for diagnosis of asymptomatic fatty liver so that the disease can be arrested at the beginning. In most cases medicine is not the only cure, regular tests and progressions need to be evaluated. The wide approach of treatment to address the disease comprises of doctors’ consultation and lifestyle modification counselling and involvement of various stratas of medical care including primary care, internist, nutritionist, exercise counsellors, endocrinologists, cardiologists, bariatric surgeons.”