Apollo Hospitals has successfully conducted 23,000 transplants since the inception of the Apollo Transplant Program. The Apollo Transplant Program stands as one of the world’s most advanced and comprehensive transplant programs, renowned for its cutting-edge services. Since 2012, the program has been performing over 1200 transplants annually. Despite the challenges posed by the peak of the COVID pandemic in 2020, 814 transplants were carried out. However, in 2022, the program reached new heights with an exceptional figure of 1641 transplants, showcasing outstanding outcomes and solidifying a reputation built on trust and an unwavering commitment to delivering the highest quality of care. Notably, this program holds the distinction of being the first in India to surpass the significant milestones of 18,500 kidney transplants, 4300 liver transplants, and 500 pediatric liver transplants. Apollo Hospitals had performed the first successful liver transplants in India in an adult and child in 1998 and the first combined liver kidney transplants in 1999. Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Founder & Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, New Delhi, said, “It gives us immense please to see that our efforts to continue providing the best healthcare for people has been reciprocated by immense trust that patients across the globe have put in us. We see this milestone as a testament of the advancement of clinical excellence practices we have been able to build in India with two very important aspects at the core- care and technology. As we strive to keep our population healthy, we will continue to remain committed to bringing the world class care to everyone us.” India has emerged as a sought-after hub for global patients seeking medical treatment, and Apollo has established itself as a prominent name in the domain of solid organ transplantation, state-of-the-art technology, and delivering top-notch healthcare that matches international standards. With an impressive track record of conducting 23,000 transplants, 30% of which were for international patients, Apollo stands out as a leading contributor in the field. Notably, Apollo performs approximately 12% of all transplants in India, and its expertise extends to 1% of global transplant procedures. Apollo has performed transplants in patients from over 50 countries including the US, Canada, Philippines, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Pakistan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, CIS, Myanmar, and others. Dr Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice-Chairperson, of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise said “India has attracted a lot of international patients seeking medical care because of its reputation as a leader in the field of healthcare. We have established a solid framework for both professional excellence and state of the art technology and are able to meet the complicated demands of patients while maintaining a sharp emphasis on results and care. At Apollo, we have leveraged the ecosystem better. Our vision is to bring international standard healthcare within the reach of every individual, and we are committed to providing quality care across our hospitals. The Apollo Transplant Program is well-founded with the best infrastructure that is delivered with the highest possible quality by an eminent pool of globally renowned Transplant Surgeons, Nephrologists, Gastroenterologists, Pediatric Gastroenterologists, Pediatric Surgeons, Anaesthetists, Intensive Care Physicians, and Lab experts. The program has established a reputation for dependability and trust over the last decade, offering the highest level of care and producing results that are unparalleled globally. Dr. Anupam Sibal, Group Medical Director and Senior Pediatric Gastroenterologist, at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said, “We are delighted to have accomplished this landmark, and are privileged to offer hope to patients with end stage organ failure from across the globe. We now routinely perform complicated kidney transplants, combined liver-kidney transplants, combined kidney-pancreas transplants, multi-organ transplants, heart transplants, lung transplants, heart-lung transplants and liver transplants in children and adults. We have an impressive track record in ABO incompatible liver and kidney transplants, liver transplants in babies as small as 4 kgs. Sanjay, the recipient of the first successful pediatric liver transplant in India at Apollo Hospitals Delhi in 1998, Sanjay is now practicing as a doctor.” The Apollo Transplant Institutes are spread over more than 24 locations, 8 of which perform liver transplants and 6 perform multi-organ transplants, thus offering a mix of services that are equipped to take care of the entire spectrum of liver, kidney, lung and heart failure, over 250 doctors serve as consultants for the organization’s solid organ transplant program. As the number of organ transplants in India continues to rise, the Apollo Transplant Program emerges as a pivotal force, driving innovation and serving as a beacon of inspiration for delivering advanced and high-quality healthcare to patients worldwide. With its unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of medical possibilities, Apollo’s transplant program sets a remarkable standard for excellence, constantly pushing the frontiers of medical advancements and redefining the landscape of organ transplantation. By consistently pioneering new techniques, fostering breakthrough research, and providing exceptional patient care, Apollo’s program stands at the forefront of progress, attracting patients from around the globe in search of transformative medical solutions.

Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai has successfully treated a preterm baby with a rare lung disorder, Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation (CPAM). The hospital’s multidisciplinary team navigated the complexities of this case with exceptional skill, ensuring the baby’s survival and a promising future. The complex case involved a baby at 35 weeks gestation delivered through emergency C-section due to foetal distress and meconium-stained liquor. The mother was infected with Hepatitis B Virus, adding to the challenges faced by the medical team. Dr. Ashwini Khanolkar, Consultant, Paediatric and Neonatal Surgeon, Apollo Hospital Navi Mumbai said, “The surgery was a supra-major neonatal surgery involving thoracotomy and lobectomy – in a preterm baby. It was a challenging task, given the complexities involved due to the pre-term birth and underweight baby. However, with a highly skilled team and the cutting-edge modern facilities at our disposal, we were able to successfully perform a left posterolateral thoracotomy and left lower lobectomy under general anaesthesia.” “This case is a testament to the quality of care and the multidisciplinary approach at Apollo Hospitals,” said Mr. Santosh Marathe, Regional CEO Western Region, Apollo Hospitals. ” We are extremely proud of the dedication and expertise of our teams, working together seamlessly across departments to save a life and give this child a chance at a healthy future. AHNM does a significant volume of high-risk deliveries as well as deliveries done through IVF. We have a state-of-the-art NICU manned by competent neonatologists and paediatric intensivists along with well-trained nurses for 24-hour care of infants and babies. The successful treatment of the baby, with minimal complication and a satisfactory recovery, is a testament to the hospital’s commitment to providing the highest quality healthcare services, especially in cases involving unique challenges like prematurity, sepsis, and complex congenital conditions.” Read more about the complex surgery performed on preterm baby.

In an effort to save patients from pacemaker infection and enhance post-Pacemaker cardiac care, Apollo Hospitals has introduced an innovative Excimer laser technology to remove the infected parts of a pacemaker from patient’s hearts swiftly. Dr. A M Karthigesan, Interventional Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai has recently performed this cutting-edge extraction procedure on a 72-year-old male patient. The patient, who received a pacemaker 8 years ago, presented with symptoms of severe pocket infection with abandoned infected leads in the heart. The patient showed significant progress after this unique intervention by the clinical team from Apollo Hospitals. Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “Apollo Hospitals has established itself as a trailblazer in the adoption of cutting-edge technology across specialties. Cardiac related ailments affect a huge chunk of the population and it is imperative for clinical teams to track and adopt the latest advancements if we are to remain state of-the-art and cater to emerging concerns of the population. We are pleased to announce the adaptation of this laser-assisted technology for those with specific post-implantation concerns. The physicians at Apollo Hospitals possess the expertise and acumen required to perform such procedures successfully and provide an improved quality of life for our patients.” Read more about interventional procedure with laser technology performed at Apollo Hospitals

Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC) has marked a definitive step ahead by making the world’s most advanced radiation therapy more accessible to cancer patients from across the globe. APCC has shown remarkable expertise in Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) and has showcased excellent clinical outcomes. Over 1,000 patients have been treated with proton beam therapy at APCC. In line with our vision to drive positive change across the world, we announce an exclusive partnership with Ion Beam Applications SA (IBA), a leading manufacturer of innovative advanced Proton Therapy System. This collaboration, which will be effective from July 15, 2023, marks a significant milestone in the field of oncology as it brings together two prominent names to provide specialized Proton Beam Therapy training to oncologists from across the globe. Dr Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Limited said, “We are pleased to announce our exclusive partnership with IBA for Proton Beam Therapy training at Apollo Proton Cancer Centre. This collaboration represents a significant milestone in our mission to provide world-class cancer care and foster global advancements in the field of oncology. By joining forces with IBA, a leader in proton therapy solutions, we aim to not only train oncologists from across the world but also contribute to the wider adoption of Proton Beam Therapy as a highly effective treatment option. We believe that this partnership will help shape the future of cancer care and enable us to make a positive impact on the lives of patients worldwide.” Read more about Apollo Proton Cancer Centre partners with IBA

Apollomedics Super Specialty Hospital, Lucknow has launched Artificial Intelligence powered Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery services. It is a world-class next-gen technology that will transform the future of Knee Replacement Surgery, being the first in the region. Dr. Mayank Somani, MD & CEO of Apollomedics Super Specialty Hospital, Lucknow, told the media, “Our hospital is committed to provide our patients with the latest and most advanced medical technologies. Apollomedics Super Specialty Hospital is proud to be the first hospital in the region to offer this advanced technology. The Artificial Intelligence powered Robotic Knee Replacement uses world-class next-gen technology, which elevates the precision and accuracy to a whole new level. This cutting-edge technology is used only at a few selected centers in India and globally to perform Knee replacement surgeries including countries like US and UK. If we talk about the cost difference between Conventional & Robotic Surgery, in countries like US or UK a patient has to pay 26% higher for a Robotic Knee Surgery (approx. $50000 in US while approx. £12100 in UK). It is 20 times more of what a patient has to pay while undergoing same surgery in India. Our center offers this advanced technology at a very affordable rate. The AI-powered robotic knee replacement surgery is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence in patient care. We are confident that this technology will revolutionize the way knee replacement surgeries are performed in Uttar Pradesh. The AI Guided Robotic Orthopedic Surgery Services will be led by Dr Sanjai K Srivastava, Chairman of Orthopedics and Joint Replacement at Apollomedics Super Specialty Hospital. Dr Sanjai has an experience of over 3 decades with 20000+ orthopedic surgeries. Addressing the media, Dr Sanjai told “We are excited to offer this advanced technology to our patients. The Artificial Intelligence powered robotic knee replacement surgery is a game-changer, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this innovation. The AI-powered robotic knee replacement surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a robotic arm to assist the surgeon in performing the surgery giving submillimeter accuracy incisions. This is way more advanced technique as compared to traditional Knee Replacement surgery. In a conventional Knee Replacement, the outcome depends solely on surgeon’s skills and results in 80% to 85% accuracy of surgeon’s planning. With the help of Robotic Surgery, the rate of accuracy achieved increases to 95% to 99% resulting into a superior post-surgery outcome. The Robotic technology introduces personalized planning & predictive results by a 3D model of the post-surgery knee outcome beforehand which gives patients much-needed peace of mind. This also ensures that the surgery is tailored to the patient’s unique anatomy allowing for greater precision and accuracy during the procedure, resulting in a faster recovery and superior outcomes. This unique blend of surgeon’s skills & precision of AI results in a safer surgery, pinpoint accuracy, faster recovery, early discharge and a more personalized experience which helps patient resume normal life in lesser time” Dr Ajaya Kumar (Director – Medical Services), Col (Dr) Narinder Kumar (Senior Consultant – Orthopedics & Joint Replacement), Dr Saurabh Jain (Consultant – Orthopedics & Sports Injury) and Dr Kamal Kishor Gupta (Consultant – Orthopedics & Joint Replacement) from Apollo Hospitals Lucknow were also present.

Apollo Proton Cancer Centre has launched the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), which furtherreinforces its commitment to providing the highest quality of care to its patients. The unit wasinaugurated by Hon'ble Minister for Social Welfare & Women Empowerment Government of TamilNadu, Tmt. P. Geetha Jeevan in the presence of Mr. Harshad Reddy, Director, Group Oncology &International Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd; Dr. Ramya Uppuluri, Consultant, Hemato Oncology;Dr. Shruthi Kakarala, Consultant Intensivist; Dr. Srinivas Chilukuri, Senior Consultant, RadiationOncology (Paediatric) and Dr. Arvind Sukumaran, Senior Consultant Neurosurgery.The launch of the PICU represents a significant milestone for APCC, as it aims to providecomprehensive and exceptional paediatric cancer care. The Unit will be led by a dedicated team ofclinicians and specialists from various fields, all of whom possess extensive knowledge and expertisein their respective areas. The PICU is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, including a Level 3Paediatric ICU with Multipara monitors that are designed to provide several information on onescreen. It also announced commencement of in-house Paediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)training program for nurses and paramedics. The programme will benefit nurses, in-houseparamedics, and those working at the neighborhood clinics, and will prepare them to handle anypaediatric emergencies.Tmt P Geetha Jeevan, Hon’ble Minister for Social Welfare & Women Empowerment, Government ofTamil Nadu, praised APCC's commitment to bring advanced paediatric cancer care, and said, "It is my pleasure to be a part of the grand opening of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre. It is another prime example of Tamil Nadu's longstanding leadership in India'smedical infrastructure and healthcare delivery. With the launch of the new unit, APCC is taking animportant step towards excelling in its efforts to enhance the quality of life of young cancer winners.I applaud them for their commitment in delivering the finest in proton and photon therapies, and for investing in the latest and most advanced technologies to have a complete paediatric care unit."Emphasising the importance of establishing the PICU, Dr. Shruthi Kakarala, Consultant, Intensivist,Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, said, "At APCC, we take great pride in bringing cutting-edgetechnology, treatments and care for paediatric oncology. The PICU will have advanced life-supporttechnology, monitoring equipment, and will be staffed 24X7 by a team of specialised healthcareprofessionals from different departments. This unit is a game-changer against the fight for cancerand other medical concerns in children and we are very pleased to be able to provide this to ourpatients. With the PICU, we can set ourselves apart from other proton establishments while offeringour patients with the very best childcare support.” Speaking during the inauguration Dr. Ramya Uppuluri, Consultant Hemato Oncology, Apollo ProtonCancer Centre, said, "PICUs play a crucial role in providing specialized care to critically ill children.The new unit is equipped with advanced medical technology and staffed by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals who are specifically trained to address the unique needs of pediatricpatients. In a PICU, medical professionals have access to specialized equipment and monitoringdevices tailored for pediatric patients. Additionally, the presence of a multidisciplinary teamcomprising pediatric intensivists, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other specialists ensurescomprehensive care for children with complex medical conditions."Mr. Harshad Reddy, Director, Group Oncology & International Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd, said,"We, at the APCC, are dedicated to offering patients the most exceptional care possible. Treatingcancer in children is a very intricate and sensitive procedure and opening a dedicated intensive carefacility for not just cancer care but paediatric care helps us in delivering better patient outcomes.Our goal at Apollo is to deliver the finest cancer care possible for our patients by bringing the mostcutting-edge infrastructure and technologies to India and the rest of the world. We look forward tocollaborating with the top paediatric speciality team and other medical experts to provide the mostcomprehensive paediatric care.”The new PICU unit has an exquisite artwork created by students from Stella Maris College, Chennai.The students gave life to an awe-inspiring artwork under the theme ‘Heroes of Hope’ ideated by Dr.Lakshmi Priya Daniel, Head, Department of Fine Arts, Stella Maris College. The artwork was unveiledby the Hon'ble Minister Tmt. P. Geetha Jeevan, during the launch.Dr. Lakshmi Priya Daniel, Head of the Department of Fine Arts at Stella Maris College, emphasisedthe relevance of artwork in the PICU unit. She said, “It’s an exciting opportunity for our students tocreate artwork at the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre. Art has a remarkable ability to comfort andprovide much-needed positivity and hope to patients, especially in a paediatric unit. By introducingart into the paediatric unit, we can create an environment that nurtures the emotional well-being ofpatients, instils a sense of positivity, and enhances their overall healing process."The Apollo Proton Cancer Centre has broadened its scope by incorporating this state-of-the-artfacility for paediatric intensive care for cancer treatment.

Building on its success, Apollo, the world’s largest vertically integrated healthcare provider, expands its dedicated Robotic Colorectal Surgery Programme across 6 cities – Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai and Vishakhapatnam. With highly skilled colorectal surgeons, organ-specific super specialties, and colorectal cancer treatment options, Apollo continues to lead the way in colorectal robotic surgeries offering unmatched precision and accuracy. Apollo’s collective robotic colorectal surgery experience has now surpassed over 1000 procedures, maximum till date in the country. The use of this technology and technique, particularly for colorectal cancer surgery procedures has led to significant changes by helping surgeons to have a very precise dissection in areas such as a narrow pelvis, which ultimately leads to a drop in readmission rates to 1.9% and having no signs of cancer post-surgery (cancer clearance rates:4.6%), reduced wound infection rates (1.4%) and reduced post-surgery complications (0.9%) when compared to the global market. Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice-Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “Since inception, we have been determined to keep raising the bar in clinical excellence and deliver the global best in terms of standard of care to our patients. In keeping with this ethos, we have continuously championed advancements in the field of colorectal robotic surgeries through focused research and training programs. At large, Apollo’s highly skilled robotic colorectal surgeons have been pivotal in shaping a new realm of robotic colorectal surgery in the region. A dedicated program built on a foundation of in-depth understanding patient profiles, a steadfast commitment to enhance clinical outcomes while lowering costs of care, the unprecedented success achieved at Apollo Hospitals, it underlines the versatility and standardization of our robotic techniques, team and clinical services.” The high volume of robotic colorectal surgeries allows cost efficiency, with the cost of robotic colorectal surgery almost at par with standard keyhole surgery. Such minimally invasive techniques have several short-term and long-term benefits for patients– from having less blood loss and quicker recovery. The Apollo Hospital’s Colorectal Robotics Program represents a remarkable fusion of cutting-edge technology and the expertise of skilled surgeons. By harnessing the power of robotics, Apollo Hospitals has transformed the way colorectal surgeries are performed, ensuring the highest level of precision and efficiency. Dr Venkatesh Munikrishnan – Consultant Colorectal & Robotic Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals who has performed over 600 robotic colorectal surgeries said, “We are seeing more and more younger adults getting diagnosed with colorectal cancer because of sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits. There is a need to create awareness about the disease and take the right preventive steps to diagnose the disease at an early stage. People with family history of cancer should screen themselves every year as a preventive step to increase their chances of survival. Having said that, our robotic colorectal cancer surgery outcomes have been extremely satisfying. In fact, we have patients coming from across the subcontinent with 40% of our patients coming in from South Asia. This truly reflects the quality of surgery and care delivered at Apollo.” Robotic surgery has emerged as a game-changer in the medical field. It offers numerous advantages over traditional surgical techniques, including enhanced visualization, superior dexterity, and increased accuracy. These attributes are particularly crucial when dealing with complex colorectal procedures that demand utmost precision. Apollo’s colorectal robotic surgery programme offers cutting-edge minimally invasive robotic surgical techniques and technology in the treatment of patients with colorectal diseases, since 2016. An average of 150 robotic assisted surgeries for colorectal cancer are performed every year. Currently, Apollo is the only hospital in the world to use both Robots – Da Vinci Intuitive Robot and Hugo Medtronic Robot for colorectal cancer surgery procedures. By combining the expertise of surgeons with the technological advancements of robotic systems, colorectal surgeries are poised to achieve better outcomes, ensuring improved patient recovery, reduced post-operative pain, and an elevated overall quality of life.

For the first time in India, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals Kolkata brings the comprehensively connected 5G Ambulance that would transform access to healthcare and save lives in emergency situations. The custom-designed, state-of-the-art 5G-connected Ambulance is equipped with the latest medical equipment, patient monitoring applications, and telemetry devices that transmit the patient’s health data to the hospital with low latency. In addition, it is also equipped with onboard cameras connected to the ultra-fast and low-latency 5G network. The integrated connected care technology solution is provided by HealthNet Global Limited, who are world leaders in providing different health tech solutions. It is an affiliate of Apollo Hospitals. When a critical patient is enroute to the hospital and every second makes a difference, the 5G-connected Ambulance acts as an extension of the emergency room and enables the following: Always connected to the hospital: The high-speed, low-latency 5G network relays the geo-location of the ambulance to the hospital’s command centre to ensure the nearest ambulance reaches the critical patient to save the Golden Hour time. Also, the ambulance transmits the patient’s complete telemetry data, including vitals, in near real-time to doctors and experts at the hospital. This allows the doctors at ER to make quicker decisions and advise paramedics in the ambulance to administer required aid while on the move. It also prepares the hospital staff to better manage the patient on arrival and save precious time. Transports ER Specialist doctors virtually to the ambulance: With near real-time camera feed available, the doctors and paramedics in the ambulance can use the cameras to collaborate with the ER specialist doctors at the hospital who are equipped with advanced technologies to undertake basic procedures, if necessary. The doctors can virtually guide the paramedic to carry out the procedure and save precious lives. Present at the occasion, Dr K Hari Prasad, President-Hospitals Division, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Limited, said, “Apollo Hospitals has always strived to provide access to the community. The 5G-connected ambulances use advances in technology to provide immediate access to the seriously ill and injured. It enables advanced care from the spot where the patient is through the journey to the hospital and in the Emergency room. This is truly a path breaking initiative and will be an important tool in saving precious lives.” On this note, Mr. Rana Dasgupta, CEO-Eastern Region, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “Keeping up with our tradition to always offer modern healthcare, we bring the 5G-connected ambulance to save the lives of critical patients and utilize the Golden Hour to the benefit of patients. The ambulance will provide real-time images and data due to super-fast streaming and the image clarity would also be very high due to the 5G technology. Treatment will now begin when the patient is on the way to the hospital.” Also present at the occasion, Dr Surinder Singh Bhatia, Director Medical Service, Apollo Hospitals, Kolkata, said, “The criticality of the ‘Golden Hour’ is well known and it can mean the difference between life and death for seriously ill or trauma patients in an emergency. The Golden Hour is impacted by the facilities in an ambulance and the distance from the hospital. Studies show that longer journey to the hospital is associated with an increased risk of mortality, with a 10‐km increase in straight‐line distance associated with around a 1% absolute increase in mortality. Instead of pre-hospital management, we may say that with the 5G-connected ambulance, it is the hospital on wheels that reaches the patient to start early management. These insights propelled us to bring the 5G-connected ambulance to utilize the disruption-free, lag-free connectivity it provides.” Dr Arijit Bose, Senior Consultant & Head Department of Emergency Medicine, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata, added, “The super-fast streaming and the image clarity of the 5G-connected ambulance would help us to save many lives as timely treatment can be started even in the transit phase in the ambulance itself. Along with medication, if needed, interventions and intubations can also be done in the ambulance itself.”

Commemorating World Thalassemia Month, Apollo Cancer Centre, Chennai, in association with the Tamil Nadu Government, celebrated the milestone of successfully treating the highest number of Thalassemia affected children under the Tamil Nadu CM’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme. The landmark event was graced by Shri M Govinda Rao IAS – Project Director, Tamil Nadu Health System Project, Dr Ravi Babu, Joint Director – Director of Medical Services – CMCHIS Tamil Nadu Government, District Revenue Officer Mr. Mohan Chandran and Dr Preetha Reddy – Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, Clinical team and the beneficiaries under TNCMCHIS. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited said, “It is heartening that the TNCMCHIS initiative has given new hope to so many underprivileged children requiring BMT for the treatment of Thalassemia. It has been Apollo Cancer Centre’s privilege to have successfully treated over 400 children suffering from Thalassemia of whom around 40 per cent were treated under the aegis of the TNCMCHIS. We are deeply grateful to the Ministry of Health, Government of Tamil Nadu for their continued support to us, in Apollo’s mission to bring healthcare of international standards within the reach of every individual.” Read more about children’s treated under TNCMCHI scheme at Apollo Cancer Centre, Chennai

Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai has performed 40 successful Bone Marrow Transplants (BMT) with good outcomes in both adult and paediatric patients over the last four years. Bone marrow transplantation replaces the existing diseased or dysfunctional bone marrow when it does not produce enough healthy blood cells. BMT is a life-saving procedure carried out in patients suffering from haematological disorders such as leukaemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and certain genetic conditions like thalassemia. The accomplishment of 40 BMTs includes 10 haploidentical (partially matched) BMTs which showcases the high calibre of the hospital’s bone marrow transplant program. The BMT procedure involves replacing the patient’s diseased or damaged bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells from a donor. There are two main types of BMTs: Autologous, where the patient’s own stem cells are used, and Allogeneic, where stem cells are obtained from a donor. Haploidentical BMTs, which accounted for 10 of the 40 transplants performed at Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, involve a partially matched donor. These transplants have become increasingly important as they widen the pool of potential donors, particularly for patients without a fully matched sibling or unrelated donor. Dr. Anil D’Cruz, Director Oncology, Apollo Cancer Centres, said, “At Apollo Cancer Centres, we continually strive for excellence in providing comprehensive care for cancer patients. Our state-of-the-art facilities encompass cutting-edge technologies and a team of highly skilled experts specializing in different cancers. We remain steadfast in our mission to combat blood disorders and cancers and are proud to have carried out 40 BMTs. Our understanding of the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment has enabled us to make a positive difference in the lives of our patients.” Dr. Punit Jain, Lead & Consultant BMT Program, Consultant Haematologist & Hemato-Oncologist, Apollo Cancer Centres, Navi Mumbai expressed his pride in the hospital’s achievement, saying, “It is a proud moment for Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai to achieve the milestone of 40 BMTs with success rates of 65-70% that are comparable to global facilities offering BMT. Our dedicated team of specialists has worked tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients. We are proud that our program continued even during the COVID-19 pandemic with strict infection control measures that ensured the safety of both patients and healthcare workers. The BMT team at Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai successfully navigated these challenges, showcasing our resilience and adaptability.” “Our transplant team closely monitors the patient’s progress to stay on alert for early signs of complications as the side effects can range from mild to dangerous. One of the patients, a 20-year-old female diagnosed with aplastic anaemia or severe bone marrow failure underwent BMT four years ago. She developed GvHD and viral infections over the next four months requiring several further hospitalisations. But the extensive care provided to her ensured that all her medicines were stopped after six months of the transplant. As part of the protocol, she later underwent multiple vaccinations to boost her immune system. Four years post-transplant, she regularly visits the hospital for follow-ups, has a robust immune system, healthy blood cell counts, and is happily married,” added Dr. Punit Jain. After an allogeneic BMT, a patient can develop secondary complications called Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD). GvHD occurs when the graft’s immune cells recognize the host cells as foreign bodies and attack the recipient’s body cells. To prevent and treat GvHD, a combination of immunosuppressive drugs is administered to the patients, and the patient has to be under the observation of critical care specialists. Dr. Vipin Khandelwal, Consultant – Haemato-Oncology, Paediatric BMT Physician, Apollo Cancer Centres, Navi Mumbai, said, “At Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, we have a dedicated paediatric BMT unit and ICU with a multidisciplinary team including paediatric oncologists, cardiologists, and nurses. Before undertaking a paediatric BMT, we examine the child’s heart, kidneys, lungs, ears, and teeth to identify any health issues and make sure that the child is in the best possible health. Due to the intense conditioning required prior to BMT and slow post-transplant immune recovery, the patients are also prone to develop infections and other serious complications. But the early detection of infectious diseases through blood culture or multiplex PCR as well as well-trained staff enable us to deliver the best possible treatment outcomes.” Dr. Purvi Kutty, Paediatric Haematology & Oncology, Apollo Cancer Centres, Navi Mumbai, said “One of the paediatric patients, a 7-year-old girl from Mauritius had a history of repeated blood transfusions after being diagnosed with a life-threatening inherited bone marrow failure syndrome. She was referred to Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai where genetic screening confirmed that she had Fanconi anaemia, a rare genetic disorder and the most common cause of inherited bone marrow failure. Upon bone marrow matching examination, her elder brother was found to be a perfect match with 12/12 HLA match and became the stem cell donor. Post-BMT, she required multiple blood transfusions but due to the untiring efforts of the BMT team and blood bank support at the hospital, the girl sailed through to a stable state. She returned home 6 months later and celebrated her birthday with her loved ones.” Mr. Santosh Marathe, Regional CEO – Western Region, Apollo Hospitals, also expressed his satisfaction with the hospital’s accomplishment, “Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai remains at the forefront of advanced patient care. Bone marrow transplantation offers hope and improved quality of life to patients suffering from haematological disorders. The success of our BMT program is a testament to the skill, dedication, and determination of our expert team of healthcare specialists. We are committed to providing world-class care to our patients and will continue to strive for even better outcomes in the future. The hospital’s state-of-the-art facilities, expert staff, and commitment to patient care and safety ensure it remains a leading healthcare provider in the region.”

In line with the mission to provide the most comprehensive and advanced cancer care in India, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC) has once again set a new standard with the introduction of the latest suite of cutting-edge cancer-fighting technology called Tomotherapy. As the first centre in South Asia and the Middle East to offer proton therapy, APCC is renowned for its commitment to providing the finest in proton and photon therapies, and the addition of Tomotherapy is a step towards offering advanced cancer care. Ms. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Hon’ble Member of Parliament-Lok Sabha, Govt. of India, inaugurated Tamil Nadu’s first RadiXactX9 Tomotherapy and India’s first High Precession TMI/TMLI programme in the presence of Ms. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, Mr Karan Puri, Chief Executive Officer, APCC, Dr Rakesh Jalali, Medical Director & HOD- Radiation Oncology, APCC, Dr Sapna Nangia, Senior Consultant – Radiation Oncology, Dr Srinivas Chilukuri, Senior Consultant Radiation Oncology, APCC and Mr. Manish Jaiswal, Regional Vice President, Accuray Medical Equipment India Pvt. Ltd. APCC is now the first in Tamil Nadu to offer RadiXactX9 Tomotherapy and India’s first High Precession TMI/TMLI programme, thanks to its Helical Tomotherapy technology, which provides greater precision and control over radiation therapy delivery while minimising damage to healthy tissues. The daily imaging capability makes it possible for clinicians to identify and correct any variations in patient positioning, changes in the tumour, or other factors, such as weight gain or loss. As the Tomotherapy System’s precision reduces radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues, patients experience fewer side effects than those receiving conventional forms of radiation therapy. Read more about the launch of Helical Tomotherapy at Apollo Proton Cancer Centre

In an effort to offer hope to patients with Parkinson’s disease and stay true to its cutting-edge spirit, Apollo Hospitals is offering treatment at a first-of-its-kind Advanced Deep Brain Stimulation Centre in Chennai. The Centre, which is equipped with the latest technology in Parkinson’s disease treatment, has enabled doctors to provide personalized treatment to patients, resulting in better clinical outcomes and increased patient satisfaction. The Centre has, so far, treated the highest number of patients in Tamil Nadu with these advanced technologies. Dr. Vijay Shankar, Senior Consultant, Neurologist, Movement Disorders, and Deep Brain Stimulation Specialist, Apollo Hospitals, said, “We are proud to be at the forefront of advancing treatment for Parkinson’s disease. With the adoption of this technology, we have helped patients make significant progress and report improvements in their quality of life. Our patients have reported improved limb movement and other functional outcomes. This technology not just marks a giant leap in the treatment of movement disorders but will also help patients connect better within their communities and lead happier lives.” Dr. Arvind Sukumaran, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon, Epilepsy & Functional Neurosurgery /DBS specialist, said, “The Percept PC technology adopted at this Centre allows for listening and recording tiny electrical fluctuations called beta band, in the target area. SenSight is an advanced electrode that allows doctors to listen to the beta band signals in the brain and gain crucial information about disease activity. This allows us to identify the direction of maximum beta band activity, and direct the electricity in that direction, while assessing the clinical benefits.” This approach results in the delivery of precise electrical current with limited adverse effects, resulting in targeted treatment of the disease. Read more about advanced Deep Brain Stimulation technology at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai