Apollo Infectious Diseases Conference 2022 will encompass all aspects pertaining to the management of infections & infection control. It would be very useful for practicing physicians, clinicians interested in infectious diseases, microbiologists and post-graduates in internal medicine.Date: 18th & 19th June 2022Venue: Taj Coromandel, ChennaiTime:Day 1 – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PMDay 2 – 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM Program Highlights:Monkey Pox Emerging infection in the field of infectious disease.Topics including Pediatric and Adult population.Interesting facts about newer variants in COVID. List of Speakers:Dr. V. RamasubramanianDr. Ram GopalakrishnanDr. Abdul GhafurDr. P. Senthur NambiDr. D. Suresh KumarDr. R. MadhumithaDr. Vidya KrishnaDr. V.R. Yamuna DeviDr. Nandini SethuramanDr. Sowmya SridharanDr. B. PraveenDr. Divya JoshiDr. A.S. NaveenDr. V.K. Vineeth   Please Note:Prior registration is mandatory. Spot registration is not available.For any further information, please reach us at 9940692024 (WhatsApp only) Download AIDC 2022 brochure CME Credit Hours Awarded by Tamil Nadu Medical Council

KOLKATA, October 27, 2021: For the first time in Eastern India, doctors at Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals gave a new lease of life to an unborn by blood transfusion inside womb. Rima was diagnosed with a rare complication of foetal hydrops during 24th week of pregnancy where fluids get accumulated in the foetus making the baby anaemic.Foetal hydrops is a rare problem (1 in 10,000) during pregnancy, which occurs in the second pregnancy when the mother’s blood group is A- (negative) and the father’s blood group is B+ (positive). In such cases if the first child is born with positive blood group, chances are there that the mother’s body fights the positive cells left after delivery. The presence of these antibodies affects the unborn during the second pregnancy. Hence the blood in the foetus turns into fluid and gets accumulated in the baby’s chest, tummy and under the skin.  Mortality rate of babies with foetal hydrops is 50% to 90% depending on how early it’s detected.Dr Mallinath Mukherjee, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals said, “In such cases, blood transfusion to the unborn is the only way to save the baby’s life. Even with treatment, survival rate of such babies is extremely low. In this case we have been able to successfully deliver the baby at 35 weeks of pregnancy after 6 blood transfusions. We are also grateful to the health department of the state for trusting and allowing us for this special delivery.”Dr Kanchan Mukherjee, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, who performed the blood transfusions, said, “Blood transfusion in foetus is extremely delicate and critical so we had to take utmost care of the baby and the mother during the procedures. With six transfusions, we have been able to increase the haemoglobin of the baby from 3 to 10 and arrange for timely delivery.”Dr Jayanta Kr Gupta, Director & HOD Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata said, “We here at Apollo for the very first time in Eastern India did blood transfusion on an unborn and have been able to save the baby’s life from this rare condition of foetal hydrops. Even after the transfusions, it’s extremely critical to decide the timing of the delivery. Blood transfusion in unborn has several risk factors like infection in the womb leading to premature delivery, heart failure of the baby due to too much blood transfusion and even death of the mother if the blood reaches the mother.” Doctors also advised checking blood groups before marriage and taking necessary precautions to avoid such problems during pregnancy. There are several antidotes like Anti D imuno globulin, which is given to the mothers after first delivery to prevent foetal hydrops in second pregnancy.

Kolkata, September 27, 2022: To make citizens able to save lives of people, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals Kolkata today created awareness about sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest is a disease where the electrical circuits of the heart go haywire and heart suddenly stops beating. People suffering from sudden cardiac arrest fall suddenly unconscious and this could be happen anywhere to anyone as healthy as fit athletes as well.In case of a heart attack which is caused by the blockages in the heart arteries, the patient complains of chest pain, breathlessness, uncomfortableness, nausea and profuse sweating. He/she can even express the need to take him/her to a hospital and there is time to reach a hospital. But, sudden cardiac arrest as the name suggests is very sudden and in most cases the patient has no symptom. Hence the people around him can only save his life by trying to make him conscious. Cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique that’s useful in many emergencies in which someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. For an untrained person, who is about the give CPR to a patient, The American Heart Association recommends starting CPR with hard and fast uninterrupted chest compressions of 100 to 120 a minute untilparamedics arrive. If a trained person, doesn’t find pulse and breathing in the patient he must begin CPR within 10 seconds – 30 chest compressions before giving two rescue breaths. This can be done on adults, children and infants needing CPR, but not new-borns (infants up to 4 weeks old).Present at the occasion, Dr. Aftab Khan, Consultant Cardiologist and Electro Physiologist, Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals Kolkata “When the heart suddenly stops, the brain, which is the vital organ to run the body stops receiving blood and if the brain doesn’t receive blood for as long as 3 minutes, it can go into permanent damaged mode, what is known as coma and within 10 minutes this patient can die. Since time is too short for finding a doctor or reaching any hospital, it’s very crucial for people around the patient to revive him.”About the initiative of creating awareness about sudden cardiac arrest, Dr. Surinder Singh Bhatia, DMS, Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals Kolkata, said “1 million people in India get affected by sudden cardiac arrests and every hour about two people in the city suffer from sudden cardiac arrest. Our aim is to make people aware about how to treat those patients immediately till they are taken to any hospital.”CPR can keep oxygen-rich blood flowing to the brain and other organs until emergency medical treatment can restore a typical heart rhythm. To give CPR the correct steps to remember are CAB. C- compressions, A- opening Airway and B- rescue Breathing.Process of CPR:It’s important to make the patient lie down on his or her back on a firm surface and using both hands one needs to push down hard and fast in a specific way on the patient’s chest. Compressions are the most important step in CPR. The lower palm (heel) of the hand should be placed on the patient’s chest, between the nipples and the other hand on top of the first hand.Keeping elbows straight and positioning shoulders above the hands the process is to push straight down on (compress) the chest at least 2 inches (5 centimeters) but no more than 2.4 inches (6 centimeters). Using the entire body weight (not just arms) when doing compressions, is very crucial.A trained person in giving CPR can also give rescue breathing after 30 compressions. The palms should be put on the person’s forehead to gently tilt the head back and with the other hand, the chin should be gently lifted forward to open the airway. After opening the airway the nostrils should be shut for mouth-to-mouth breathing.

Kolkata, October 28, 2022: On the occasion of World Stroke Day Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals Kolkata creates awareness about Brain Stroke and how to revive such patients. People with high blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure (BP) are always more prone to having brain stroke. Earlier the probability of people having brain stroke was 1 out of 6, which now has become 1 out of 4. This drastic change is figure is mainly due to bad lifestyle and eating habits.Starting treatment within 4.5 hours of stroke is very crucial as beyond that time the damage can be permanent leading to complete paralysis or even death. Since the rule of golden hour is extremely critical for stroke patients, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals Kolkata is equipped with a stroke team comprising of Emergency physician, neurologist, neuro-radiologist and the cath-lab technician, who can immediately attend to a patient admitted in the hospital. On seeing symptoms of stroke a ‘Code Stroke’ announcement is made, which signals the team to address the patient without any delay. The patient is immediately taken for CT Scan followed by medical or clinical treatment as per requirement.On that note, Dr Amitabha Ghosh, Director, Department of Neurology, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata, said, “There are two kinds of brain stroke: ischaemic stroke, where blood supply to part of the brain is decreased, leading to dysfunction of the brain tissue in that area. The other one is haemorrhagic stroke, in which there is sudden bleeding into the tissues of the brain, ventricles, or into both. In both cases it damages the brain cells as they are deprived of blood supply. However excellent treatment is now available. If treatment is initiated within definitive window period, permanent damage to brain cell can be prevented. One person out of four can have a stroke at any point of time in their life and which if untreated can lead to permanent disability or even death.”Dr Arijit Bose, Senior Consultant, Emergency Medicine, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata, mentioned, “Whenever a patient develops an ischemic stroke, every second counts as brain tissue is highly susceptible to damage due to lack of blood supply. Due to this profound amount of brain tissue damage with each passing moment, it is it is important to know the symptoms of acute ischemic stroke at the earliest and reach the nearest stroke-ready hospital.”Dr Nirmalya Ray, Consultant, Interventional Neuro-radiologist, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata, said, “Earlier stroke treatment involved only medication and physiotherapy but with the advancement of technology in healthcare now endovascular therapy even large vessel occlusion can also be addressed in cath labs. With the advent of newer technique of mechanical removal of clot, this treatment can be offered at least till 6 hours from symptom onset and even till 24 hours from symptom onset on very selected patients, who may benefit from such treatment. In this novel treatment, through a pin hole in the groin or wrist of the patient, the site of clot in the patient’s brain is accessed and the clot is either suctioned out or removed with the help of a stent. The earlier the procedure can be done, the better is likelihood of patient’s recovery.”Present at the occasion, Dr Surinder Singh Bhatia, DMS, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals Kolkata, said, “The symptoms of brain stroke are quite profound like loss of balance, headache or dizziness, blurred vision, drooping of one side of face, arm or leg, weakness, difficulty in speaking. It’s easy to identify anyone having stroke and can be taken to a nearest stroke-ready centre, equipped with 24 x 7 cathlab support and team of neurologists and neuro-interventionists. While a cardiac attack can kill a patient, a brain stroke can not only kill a patient, but it can kill a family because of the disability associated with it. Hence, know about your nearest stroke-ready centre.”

~ Event puts focus on child’s right to health ~Kolkata, November 14, 2022: Children’s Day is celebrated across the country to honour children and promote awareness of their education and welfare. This Children’s Day, Apollo Hospitals, one of Asia’s largest and most trusted healthcare group, put the focus on a child’s right to health by hosting a special event for children at select Apollo Hospitals across India. Welcoming children who have been part of the Apollo family as patients to a specially decorated area in the hospital, the paediatricians, nurses and staff showed their fun side as they participated with the kids in various fun-filled activities and games.The children accompanied by their parents saw a different side of the hospital, decorated with a new look for Children’s Day. The event comprised games that not only engaged the children, but also informed them about their health. ‘Know Your Organs’ had the children play a variation of the popular Four Corners kids party game and answer questions about a particular organs such as Heart, Lungs, Bones, Muscles, Eyes, Nose, Brain. The paediatricians also spoke to the parents with tips on ensuring a healthy child.The parents and the children all expressed their happiness at attending an event that was not only fun but also gave them a lot of knowledge on important aspects of a child’s health. The children expressed their joy by writing creative messages on sticky notes pasted on a special board. After the fun events, the children and their parents were treated to delicious healthy snacks and they left with a gift hamper that delighted the kids. But not before a group picture with the doctors and staff to save the memory of the happy occasion for eternity!Dr Surinder Singh Bhatia, Director Medical Services, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata, said, ‘Our children represent our future. It is our responsibility to ensure that they are given all opportunities to bloom and grow in to happy adults who can make a positive contribution to society. We are glad that we could take care of these children and bring them back to health. The event is a small token of thanks to the parents and children putting their trust in us. The uninhibited joy and laughter of these innocent children are our reward. At Apollo, we believe that every child deserves the best of healthcare in addition to the basic needs of food, shelter and education.’

Kolkata, February 08, 2023: Staying always ahead in the technology curve, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals Kolkata acquired da Vinci Xi Robot for the first time in Eastern India.Being the first hospital in Eastern India to bring da Vinci Si Robot a decade back, it has now moved a step ahead with furthermore latest technology.The Xi Robot can assist surgeons in intervention in gynecology, urology, oncology, cardiology, gastroenterology and others. The Robot is extremely helpful for accessing the body parts in lower abdomen where it’s difficult to reach with bare hands.The da Vinci Xi robot allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive surgeries with enhanced visibility and dexterity, allowing for accurate movements and over-all improved patient safety. It maintains high levels of precision with less time in docking machine on the patient’sbody before the surgical procedure. Patients get benefitted from smaller scar, shorter stay in hospital with minimal blood loss and faster recovery.On this note Mr Rana Dasgupta, CEO- Eastern Region, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “Being among the best healthcare provider in Eastern India, we always focus on ensuring the latest technologies for our patients. This is yet another endeavor towards ease of treatment for all our patients.”Present at the occasion, Dr Surinder Singh Bhatia, DMS, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals Kolkata expressed, “Robotic surgery is the next generation of minimally invasive surgery. Surgical robots are extremely beneficial for many minimally invasive surgeries as it helps in precise movements of surgical instruments beyond human ability in a small surgical area. da Vinci Xi is the latest robot with the modern functionality to help the surgeons operate as well as the patients safety and fastest recovery.”The whole procedure of Robotic surgery involves the doctor sitting on the console with the monitor displaying the surgical area and the robotic arms assisting the doctor for operating. One of the arms holds a high magnification 3D camera which is inserted into the abdomenthrough one of the key holes and provides a high-definition, magnified (12×), 3-D view of the surgical site. The other mechanical arms have surgical instruments attached to it that are designed to mimic the movement of the human hands and wrists.The primary benefit of Robotic surgery is minor incisions and hence, recovery is faster with much lesser complications. It also comes with less pain, lesser or no chance of infection as the incision is much smaller than the usual size of cut, less hospital stay and early recovery andback to normal life.

Kolkata, June 2, 2023: 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 en route 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 pathbreaking 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.”

A unique application will facilitate TB treatment adherence through SMS reminders, interactive voice calls and counseling servicesAn utility solution to curb rampant spread of the diseaseHyderabad, March, 2015: ‘The Union’ (International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease) in collaboration with the Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, is launching a pilot project to integrate TB treatment rendered in the private healthcare sector with the National TB Control Program through a unique web-based software application. This application facilitates improved tuberculosis notification, patient adherence to treatment and ensuring better outcomes.The innovative software links the private health facility with Government of India’s TB notification portal Nikshay. It simultaneously supports TB patients for treatment adherence through messages, interactive voice calls and counseling services. The launch of this pilot project using the application to control and treat TB was announced by Ms. Sangita Reddy, Dy. Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group; Dr. Sarabjit Chadha, Project Director, The Union – India; Dr. Sai Praveen Haranath, Senior Consultant Pulmonologist, Apollo Health City; Dr Dilip Mathai, Dean, Apollo Institute of Medical sciences & Research; Dr. Lavanya Nutankalva, Consultant Infectious Diseases and Dr. Suneetha Narreddy, Consultant Infectious Diseases, Apollo Health City, at a Press Conference on Friday at Apollo Health City.Tuberculosis is gaining epidemic proportions causing nearly 1.5 million deaths each year, mostly in developing countries. According to statistics available, India alone accounts for a fourth of the new cases of TB detected globally every year, India has 2.2 million new cases of the 8.6 million worldwide. This airborne disease kills about 1000 Indians every day and is therefore considered as India’s biggest health crisis. One of the reasons aggravating the rise in incidence is lack of integration of TB program with the private healthcare sector, besides let up on constant vigilance, effective surveillance and monitoring. Often patients reporting at private clinics or hospitals after initial relief from the disease are off the treatment radar, resulting in non-compliance of treatment, while that being the crucial period for vigorously follow up and monitoring. Such patients also end up spreading the disease in the community.The World Health Organization (WHO) through its Stop TB Strategy, has been engaging relevant health-care providers through public-private and public-public mix approaches in tuberculosis care and control. Well known global organization working in this arena – The Union, in collaboration with theLilly MDR-TB partnership is implementing a project to systematically involve private health care providers in delivering effective and quality TB services in India.As part of this initiative Apollo Hospitals is working on improving tuberculosis notification, adherence to treatment and bettering outcomes, in partnership with The Union and has launched a website – http: //www.ahtts.in/. The software linked with the Nikshay project, helps in reminding patients through regular SMS to take medicines, in addition, the Integrated voice response tool monitors the treatment adherence.“Non-compliance to treatment increases the risk of drug resistant tuberculosis, which is a grave concern in India. Automated management will improve care and save lives. It is no more a question of can we eliminate TB – it’s more a call to action to definitively rid the world of this deadly disease,” says Ms Sangita Reddy. We are launching the pilot project today and will roll it out to other locations in thecoming weeks. She said, TB has a solution, but we being not in a position to control it is sad. Referring to TB prevalence in India, she said, the problem is large, solution is strong but public awareness is low and requested media to work towards increasing awareness levels. Apollo Hospitals is committed, we will run an active TB program. 70 % of the patients are falling out of treatment regimen, intervention through technology in the form of this application will ensure better adherence. The application will be test piloted and perfected at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, before rolling it out to other Group hospitals subsequently, she said.Dr. Sarabjit Chadha said, half of the TB patients are getting treated in private healthcare sector, often there is no follow up mechanism for these patients. This software captures essential details of such patients, notifies the patient’s ailment. It interacts with the patient constantly through daily SMS reminders for consuming the medication dosage, checks on his treatment adherence through IVR every third day and counselors at Apollo Hospital will talk on phone and visit if necessary those patients who are not sticking to the treatment protocol and counsel them to get back on treatment track. We will scale this program to other private hospitals who can replicate, on successful completion of this pilot project. He said, off-late TB diagnosis has been effective, however modern dwellings and crowding in urban centers is giving a fillip for TB to spread rapidly, while reminding of the saying ‘TB anywhere is TB everywhere.’ Also high incidence of drug resistance due to skipping of the treatment protocol is a cause for concern. He said, we are currently working on a shorter treatment regimen called STREAM (Standardized Treatment) Regimen for TB treatment, to bring down the treatment duration from the current two years to nine months. We have done pilot testing of this in Bangladesh and are currently treating TB patients in four countries, Vietnam, Mongolia, Ethiopia and South Africa, with this regimen with 85% cure rate. We would complete our trials and introduce it in India by 2016. He said, a couple of companies abroad have developed drugs to treat Multiple drug resistance, which are currently not available in India.Dr. Sai Praveen Haranath said, any cough which doesn’t subside over a period of two weeks needs to be got checked. People may contract TB, which may remain dormant for extended period, but will become active when the immune system is weak or one is on drugs to suppress immunity. He said, the productivity loss on account of TB in India alone is estimated to be $25 bn.Dr Dilip Mathai said, TB is a chronic ailment, often patients report to doctors late, diagnosis is easy and if one takes medication can be cured in six months in 98% of the cases.About 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 Center across Asia, Africa and Australia.In a rare honor, 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.About the UnionThe mission of International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) is to bring innovation, expertise, solutions and support to address health challenges in low and middle-income populations. Headquartered in Paris, The Union is the only international voluntary scientific organisation with partners providing a neutral platform to fight TB, HIV, asthma, tobacco and lung disease.Established in 1920, The Union today is both a non-profit institute with five scientific departments and several offices worldwide; and a federation of close to 3,000 organisations and individuals. Its scientific departments focus on tackling major health challenges including: Tuberculosis, HIV, Lung health (including Child Lung Health), Non-communicable diseases, and Tobacco Control. Technical assistance, research, education and advocacy form the core of The Union’s activities and support to more than 170 countries and programmes across the world.The Union is most widely known for developing the DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course) strategy for treating and controlling tuberculosis. Internationally recommended and adopted by the World Health Organization, The Union model has been used to treat 37 million people around the world. For more information, please see www.theunion.org.About The Union South-East AsiaThe Union South-East Asia Office (USEA), based in New Delhi, works in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and other countries across the region, drawing on a network of consultants and strong partnerships with governments, civil society, corporations and international agencies. Established in 2003 as The Union’s first regional office, today it brings global experience and expertise to its work as well as efficiency and energy to The Union’s services across the region. USEA has a dedicated staff with technical expertise which reflects the Union’s emphasis on tuberculosis, HIV, lung health, tobacco control, non-communicable diseases and research.Since 2009, USEA has managed Project Axshya, a Global Fund supported project designed to enhance access to TB services by vulnerable and marginalised populations in 300 districts across 21 states of India. Other key projects include tobacco control efforts in India, Nepal and Bangladesh through the Bloomberg Initiative to reduce tobacco use; and the Eli-Lilly supported project to expand sustainable TB control in India. USEA also coordinates trainings to build capacity in the management of TB and MDR-TB, operational research, programme management and other skills.

Kolkata, February 8th, 2024 – In a ground-breaking development, Apollo Cancer Centres (ACCs) has emerged as the first private hospital group in India to have uccessfully complete CAR-T cell program and to further augment it, the group will now provide access to ‘Made in India’ CAR-T cell therapy, beginning with NexCAR19™ (Actalycabtagene autoleucel), for the treatment of B-cell lymphomas and B-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in patients aged 15 years and above.CAR-T cell therapies, often known as ‘living drugs’ involve the extraction of a patient’s T-cells (a type of white blood cells whose function is to fight cancer cells) through a process known as Apheresis. These T-cells are then genetically modified by a safe vehicle (viral vector) in a controlled laboratory setting, so that they express modified connectors on their surface called Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs). These CARs are specifically designed to recognize a protein which is abnormally expressed on certain cancer cells. They are then multiplied to a desired dose, and infused directly in to the patient.CAR-T cell therapies have gained global recognition for their unparalleled success in transforming the lives of patients with challenging B-cell malignancies. Having treated over 25,000 patients worldwide, have benefited from this therapeutic model.Dr. Anupam Chakrapani, Senior Consultant – Haematology & BMT Specialist, ACC, Kolkata, said, “The successful treatment of three patients using CAR-T Cell therapy at the commercial level, represents a significant leap forward in our fight against B-cell lymphomas and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. These cases highlight the efficacy and potential of this transformative therapy in providing new hope for patients facing these challenging conditions.”Sharing insights into the success of the program, he further added, “Having successfully treated patients with imported drugs, we are now poised to treat them with the indigenously built therapy.”Dr. Rajat Bhattacharyya, Senior Consultant – Pediatric Haematology, ACC, Kolkata, said,  “The successful implementation of CAR-T Cell therapy represents a pivotal moment in the advancement of cancer treatment in India. Treating patients with this revolutionary therapy showcases the potential and efficacy of this transformative approach in addressing challenging B-cell malignancies. This milestone signifies a new chapter in our fight against cancer, offering renewed hope and possibilities to those battling these conditions.On the occasion, Mr. Rana Dasgupta – CEO Eastern Region, ACC Kolkata, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Limited, said, “Embarking on a pioneering journey, Apollo Cancer Centres has achieved a remarkable feat in the realm of cancer treatment. With successful treatments, our commitment to advancing CAR-T Cell Therapy is unwavering. Being the first private hospital in India to achieve success in this transformative therapy sets a new benchmark, reinforcing our dedication to groundbreaking healthcare. The indigenously built CAR-T treatment, NexCAR19, reflects our commitment to accessible and effective solutions. Apollo Cancer Centres is not just changing the narrative; we’re rewriting the possibilities of giving better treatment outcome for cancer patients across India and beyond.”Apollo Cancer Centres has been a trailblazer in the Indian medical community, consistently introducing pioneering medical infrastructure and achieving numerous milestones. The introduction of CAR-T Cell therapy represents a new era for cancer treatment in the country.

Kolkata, February 29, 2024: Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals Kolkata, a leading healthcare provider renowned for its commitment to innovation and patient-centric care, proudly launched its newest facility – the Apollo Genomics Institute (AGI). This significant milestone marks Apollo’s continued dedication to advancing genetic healthcare and personalised medicine.The Apollo Genomics Institute, initially established in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Chennai, has now extended its reach to Kolkata. It aims to address the increasing prevalence of genetic disorders and the need for early disease identification and prevention in the region.The launch of its Kolkata branch featured distinguished speakers including Dr. Anupam Sibal, Group Medical Director of the Apollo Hospitals Group; Dr. Mahesh Kumar Goenka, Director of Gastrosciences and Medical Education; and Dr. Rohit Bhojaraj, Vice President of Children, Genomics, and Clinical Operations. Also present were Mr. Rana Dasgupta, CEO-Eastern Region, Apollo Hospitals Group; Dr. Surinder Singh Bhatia, Director Medical Services – Eastern Region; and Dr. Saswati Mukhopadhyay, Consultant Clinical Geneticist at Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata. The event also included a symbolic lamp-lighting ceremony, marking the beginning of a new era in genomic medicine.Regarding the inauguration of the institute at Kolkata, Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “India is a highly diverse heterogeneous country, and as a result, genomic medicine could have transformative potential. With decreasing infant mortality rates, genetic disorders are emerging as an important group of diseases. According to a 2021 report by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the number of diseases in India that are globally recognised as rare diseases encompass around 7,000 to 8,000 disorders.”Elaborating on the increasing demand for genomic medicine, she further added, “Today, as our population gets more health conscious, we’re also seeing increased awareness amongst individuals around the value of genomic tests in the prevention and diagnosis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and genetic diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disorders amongst others. The expansion of the Genomics Institute is a critical step towards the prevention and management of NCDs, which continues to be a significant public health challenge in India and around the world.”Ms. Suneeta Reddy, MD, Apollo Hospitals Group, said “At Apollo, we believe that patients need to be brought to the forefront of the decision-making process concerning their health journey. Constantly increasing the availability of real-world data sources coupled with patient-centric analytics offer deeper insights into how they are diagnosed, treated, and beyond. Genomics is one such area. On the back of increasing NCDs, the greater availability of patient-level data helps practitioners better understand the patient journey. This also enables personalisation in medicine by leveraging genetic insights, immensely impacting decisions made regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. At Apollo Genomics Institute, our focus on preventive care and personalised medicine underscores our commitment to a more resilient and healthier society.”India has 20 per cent of the world’s global population. It, however, contributes only 0.2 per cent of the global genetic database. Apollo Genomic Network is planning to launch a genomic variant database to collate and secure the genomic data generated securely.  The Pan-Apollo Genomics Network is also actively involved in academics and research activities. AGI holds weekly case discussions, peer-to-peer learning, monthly grand rounds, journal clubs and healthcare seminar series.Since NCDs continue to be one of the leading causes of death and suffering, contributing to 65 per cent of deaths in India, Apollo is committed to making preventive healthcare a national priority. The Apollo Genomics Institute’s ultimate goal is to transform the future of healthcare in India by providing access to precision and personalised medical care.

With your support Apollo Hospitals has again been ranked as the Best Hospital in the Hyderabad & Chennai. Times of India Ranking published once again reiterates the leadership position of Apollo Hospitals. Look forward for your continued support.

March 1, 2024: Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata, marked a significant milestone today with the inauguration of the Apollo Tele-ICU Spoke at Tridev Hospital, located in Deoghar, Jharkhand. The inauguration ceremony took place today at Tridev Hospital in Deoghar.The event was graced by esteemed guests including Mr. Rana Dasgupta, CEO Eastern Region, Apollo Hospitals Group; Dr. Ravi Prakash Mahajan, Director, Critical Care Integration & Transformation, Apollo Hospitals Group; Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Director & Dr. NamitaJoint Director – Tridev Hospital, ; Dr. Surinder Singh Bhatia, Director of Medical Services at Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata; and Dr. Arpan Chakraborty, Senior Consultant, Critical Care & ECMO Physician, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata.The newly inaugurated Tele-ICU is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including 360-degree cameras and other advanced gadgets designed to monitor patients’ vital signs. This 24×7 real-time patient monitoring system allows for the prompt and efficient sharing of patient data with the Critical Care team, ensuring timely medical intervention. Additionally, the Tele-ICU offers critical care support with superspeciality consultation back-up, further enhancing patient care and outcomes.Tele-ICU services leverage cutting-edge technologies such as video conferencing, remote monitoring, and electronic medical records to provide exceptional care to critically ill patients, irrespective of their geographical location. This initiative is very important for Deoghar. The establishment of the tele-ICU at Tridev Hospital marks a significant leap forward in healthcare accessibility, particularly for the pilgrims who converge from across India during Shiv Ratri. During critical medical situations, the Tele-ICU will serve as a crucial resource, guaranteeing swift medical aid and necessary interventions, thereby emerging as a lifeline for pilgrims in urgent need of medical attention.Mr. Dasgupta said, “This tele-ICU initiative at Tridev Hospital represents a vital step forward in extending medical care to pilgrims during their holy journey to Deoghar. In times of need, it will serve as a beacon of hope, providing timely interventions and support, ensuring their well-being and safety.”The inauguration of the Tele-ICU at Tridev Hospital represents Apollo Hospitals Group’s commitment to leveraging technology to expand access to high-quality healthcare services across geographies.