“Organ donation is the greatest form of human service; it is the noblest of deeds whereby the donor breathes life into another by donating healthy organs after death”. Being a pioneer in organ transplants Apollo Hospitals felt the urgent need to spread the above message. 53 year old Thilagavathy, an accident victim was brought to Apollo Hospitals Chennai for treatment on 18th October and was declared brain dead. With her family’s consent a team of highly skilled surgeon at Apollo Hospitals harvested and transplanted her organs in 4 other individuals. Out of them, a 63 year old woman who had heart transplant, is the oldest woman transplant recipient in India. Dr.Paul Ramesh, Senior Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals said, “Transplant program at Apollo has evolved from a sustained commitment to world class surgical expertise. It embraces the latest and the best technologies available in the international healthcare market, and also has highly trained professionals who offer supreme quality of treatment”.He also added that, “Mrs.Malathi Marathe came to Chennai 4 months ago, was treated for lung infection, worsening of heart failure and renal impairment. Until she received a compatible heart she was stabilized on heart failure medicines”. Dr.Paul Ramesh explained, “Performing a transplant on senior citizens is a challenge because, older patients are mostly diabetic and are fraught with post-operative problems especially infection. The reserve in older patients is also less; they also tend to be much sicker, but Malathi made an impressive recovery and is due back to her native (Mumbai) in few days”.

Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi has successfully completed 200 Liver Transplant cases of Pakistani patients. With success rate of over 90%, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals created a milestone in the history of medicine by becoming the first hospital in the country to reach the 200 mark for patients from a single foreign country. A Press Conference was organised by Apollo Delhi which was attended by Prof Anupam Sibal, Group Medical Director and Senior Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Apollo Hospitals, Dr Subash Gupta, Chief Liver Transplant Surgeon, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals and the families of the patients from Pakistan. Addressing the press meet, Prof Anupam Sibal, Group Medical Director and Senior Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Apollo Hospitals Delhi said, “We are delighted that we have been able to touch so many patients from across the border”. From the time we performed successful liver transplant in India in 1998, the Apollo Transplant Program has performed 776 liver transplants in children and adults. Our experience with so many Pakistani patients and their families has taught us so much about Pakistani culture and the similarities between our societies is so striking. During the conference, Prof Sibal and Prof. Gupta shared their experience of looking after the 200th Pakistani patient, Shehary, a 10 year old boy from Karachi in Pakistan who underwent a Liver Transplant surgery at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals on 6th October 2011. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Subash Gupta, Chief Liver Transplant Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals Delhi said, “It is a proud moment for us to have completed two hundred cases, we feel a sense of accomplishment by the faith and courage shown by our patients, who have travelled such long distances for the treatment.” Shehary, the 200th patient from Pakistan who underwent Successful Liver Transplant surgery at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals is a 10 year old boy from Karachi in Pakistan was brought to Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in a critical condition. In the previous two months, Shehary was admitted to hospital due to increase in jaundice and vomiting of blood but there was no improvement in his condition. He was suffering from chronic liver disease for the past three years and despite maximal medical management his condition was not improving. His medical condition deteriorated to such an extent that he became drowsy and unresponsive to speech. At Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, a multidisciplinary team of doctors led by, Prof Anupam Sibal, Senior Pediatric Gastroenterologist and Group Medical Director, Apollo Hospitals evaluated him and finally a successful Liver Tranplant was carried out by Prof Subash Gupta, Chief Liver Transplant Surgeon, wherein the part of the liver was donated by Shehary’s mother. Post transplant his jaundice has improved, he is no more unresponsive and has made a remarkable recovery and is ready to fly home.

Dr. M.K. Mani, pioneer in nephrology in the country and Chief Nephrologist at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, has been honoured with the 40th Dhanvantari Award. Dhanvantari Medical Foundation president and eminent cardiologist Dr.B.K. Goyal said that Dr. Mani pioneered innovative techniques and a new regimen in the management of kidney disorders. Dr. Mani is the recipient of many awards, including the Padma Bhushan and the Rabindranath Tagore Award and has more than 125 publications to his credit. He has been awarded the honorary Doctorate of Science by several universities. Dr. Mani became well-known after he gave a fresh lease of life to Jayaprakash Narayan, who was suffering from a kidney ailment and had a cardiac arrest at the Jaslok Hospital here, Dr. Goyal said. The prestigious award, which recognises contribution in medical science, is awarded annually since 1972. The recipients include Denton A Cooley of Houston and pioneer heart transplant surgeon Christiaan Neethling Barnard of South Africa.

Alexandria-Frost & Sullivan 2011 India Excellence in Healthcare Awards seek to recognize companies and individuals that have pushed the boundaries of excellence, rising above the competition and demonstrating outstanding performance across South Asia. Apollo Pharmacy has been awarded the Best Healthcare Retail Company of the Year 2011 under the Healthcare Delivery Awards category.

Apollo Hospitals is the first in India to launch Regenerative Cell-Enriched Cosmetic Treatments at Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad and Apollo Cosmetic Clinics. Apollo Hospitals and Cytori Therapeutics, a leader in regenerative medicine technologies, announced an alliance to introduce Cytori’s Celution® System for personalized cell therapy at Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad and Apollo Centers of Cosmetic Surgery. The integration of Cytori’s Celution-based personalized cell therapy into Apollo Hospital’s “”Cosmetic Centers of Excellence”” will for the first time make available a patient’s own adipose (Fat) derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) as an all-natural, soft-tissue filler across a variety of cosmetic procedures in India. As part of this alliance, Cytori and Apollo have collaborated in Hyderabad and Delhi with plans for additional locations throughout India this year. The Centers of Cosmetic Surgery at Apollo Hospitals is an acknowledged centers of excellence. Cosmetic enhancement treatment, beyond being a way of aesthetic improvement, involves advanced and intricate procedures. These Centers also offers medical tourists from all over the world superior quality cosmetic treatment at costs that are highly affordable, with results comparable to those at the best centers across the globe. Speaking about the alliance, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Founder and Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “”At Apollo Hospitals, we pride ourselves on introducing the latest technological advancements to help improve health care outcomes. The alliance with Cytori will revolutionize the delivery of personalized cell therapy in India. The Cytori Celution® System represents best-in-class regenerative medicine technology that enables surgeons’ access to the power of the patient’s own regenerative cells as real-time therapy across a variety of ischemic diseases.”” Commenting on this relationship Christopher J. Calhoun, CEO of Cytori, said, “”We are honored to work closely with Apollo Hospitals to make personalized cell therapy available. Apollo Hospitals represent best-in-class institutions in India and appropriate venues to enable surgeons to unlock the natural healing mechanisms of the human body to treat critical unmet medical conditions. This alliance should help ensure India becomes a leading hub in regenerative medicine worldwide.”” Call 60601066 or write to touchinglives@apollohospitals.com for appointments and queries.

Apollo Speciality Cancer Hospitals, Chennai one among India’s foremost Cancer Hospitals dedicated a brand-new contemporary and exclusive Chemotherapy Ward to Cancer patients on the occasion of Rose Day. Popular South-Indian Film Star Karthi inaugurated this new Chemotherapy Daycare Ward and celebrated Rose Day with the patients. The state-of the art Chemotherapy Daycare ward encompasses a dedicated Procedure Room, 19-Daycare beds, a Recovery bay, a Pharmacy stocked exclusively with Chemotherapy drugs, an Endoscopy unit and a Dialysis bay all in proximity to provide enhanced comfort to patients. Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “”The contemporary Chemotherapy Daycare ward at Apollo Speciality Hospitals Chennai has been designed to provide utmost convenience to patients. It will help them undergo Chemotherapy on an out-patient basis and its environment encourages the patient to be relaxed, listen to pleasant music, watch television and then return home within a few hours. In doing so, the typical stress associated with administration of Chemotherapy and hospitalization is completely avoided””. Rose Day is a celebration of life for cancer patients, perpetrated in the name of Melinda Rose, a Canadian born 14 year old, who, though herself afflicted with cancer spent her time spreading cheer and happiness all around her. The hugely popular South Indian Film star Karthi, renowned for his prowess as an actor and commitment to community service gave roses to all the cancer patients at the hospital and spread cheer on the occasion of Rose Day. Speaking to the media, Karthi said, “”By giving the patients a rose, I do want to tell them that they are the real heroes and that we all are with them in their battle with cancer.”” Rose Day celebrations included a special event planned for the children at the hospital. The entertainment sessions included story telling sessions and some games.

Mohammad Ali, native of Mauritius, a patient of Ewing’s Sarcoma, a patient of malignant (cancerous) bone tumor that affects children, underwent a Total Femur Replacement surgery performed by Prof. Dr.Mayilvahanan Natarajan and team, Apollo Specialty Hospital, Chennai, which has enabled him to walk again ! At tender age of 13, Mohammad Ali never thought that he would not be able to play with his folks due to excruciating pain in his right leg. His worried parents saw the child suffering for a year before he was brought to Prof. Dr. Mayilvahanan Natarajan, renowned orthopedic surgeon, and a specialist of orthopedic oncology. Prof. Natarajan found out that the boy is a patient of Ewing’s Sarcoma, a malignant (cancerous) bone tumor that affects children. Ewing Sarcoma is a rare disease in which cancerous cells develop in the long bones of the arms, legs and the pelvis. It may also develop in the skull or the flat bones of the trunk and occur during childhood or puberty, when bones are growing rapidly. “Master Mohammad was in terrible pain along with the swelling at the site of the tumor, when came to me. A number of tests were undertaken to determine the occurrence of the tumor. A Biopsy was done to confirm the diagnosis. He was immediately put on chemotherapy with 6 cycles under the guidance of a Medical Oncologist,” said Prof. Natarajan. “After the successful cycles of chemotherapy treatment, Prof Mayilvahanan Natarajan decided to perform Limb salvage surgery on Mast Mohammad Ali to prevent amputation. He was operated on 17th August 2011 at Apollo Specialty Hospital, Chennai for the total femur replacement in which a part of his leg bone was excised and replaced with an artificial prosthesis made up of cobalt chrome alloy, which takes on the function of the bone excised. Throughout the 6 hours surgery, the patient was in complete anesthesia.” Prof. Natarajan further explained the procedure. Sharing his plight, Master Mohammad said “My inability to walk and play was making me very depressed and the pain was very severe to bear. I was very happy when the doctor told me that my leg and life can be saved.” “Post surgery Mohammad was kept under careful observation in ICU where he recovered from his pain and swelling in few days. His follow up treatment which is as much important as the surgery follows 3 cycles of Chemotherapy and a complete physiotherapy to make sure he starts walking without any support.” said Prof. Natarajan. Total femoral removals for extensive tumors are less common but clearly represent a major problem, which till some time back required hip disarticulations. In recent years, removal and replacement using modular metallic devices have allowed the patients to be restored reasonably. The uniqueness of this replacement surgery is that the patient is given a practically new limb which is tumor free and the patient can achieve full independence in less time with an appropriate rehabilitation program. Prof. Mayilvahanan Natarajan is an Orthopedic Surgeon, recognized for his pioneering work in Orthopedic Oncology. He introduced the concept of Limb Salvage Surgery by Custom Mega Prosthesis as early as 1988. He established Orthopedic Oncology as a Sub-Specialty in Orthopedic Surgery in India. His personal series of 1750 cases of Custom Mega Prosthesis is the largest number by a single surgeon in the whole world. He has designed and invented 8 types of Custom Mega Prosthesis for different anatomical sites in the body.

Apollo Founder Prathap C Reddy laid the foundation of healthcare for profit in the country. Building on the idea, today there are hundreds of world-class hospitals in India. But BV Mahalakshmi & Sudhir Chowdhary, Financial Express, discover that the 79-year-old’s zeal is nowhere diminished, and he has greater plans in the pipeline. After the first human heart transplant operation in December 1967, South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard became an international superstar overnight and was celebrated around the world for his daring accomplishment. Dr Prathap Chandra Reddy, the 79-year-old executive-chairman of the Rs.2,605-crore Apollo Hospitals Enterprises and architect of modern healthcare in India, has a bit of Barnard in him. Like the South African medical genius who got his education in the US and subsequently returned to the rainbow country, Reddy also left a flourishing practice in the US and opted to return to his roots when in 1979 he lost a patient who could not make it to Texas for an open heart surgery.””Even before this, I was restless on account of my father’s words: ‘Of what use is your expertise if your country does not benefit from it’,” he recollects……………. To read the full article, please click here.

Apollo Hospital Group and Apollo Endosurgery®, Inc.(Austin, Texas/USA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding as they launched the introduction of endoluminal surgery in India. Apollo Endosurgery® was cofounded with the Apollo Group, a unique collaboration of physicians from the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins University, Medical University of South Carolina, the University of Texas Medical Branch and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Endoluminal surgery is the next step in the evolution of bariatric surgery as it evolves from open to laparoscopic to incision-free techniques. Apollo Hospitals and Apollo Endosurgery®, Inc. will collaborate to promote methods of performing bariatric (weight-loss) surgerythrough endoscopy without any incisions. This MOU is being facilitated by PrimeSource Medtech LLP, a leading Medtech Consulting Company based in Mumbai and New York. According to Dr. Elliot Goodman a leading bariatric surgeon from Beth Israel Medical Center, New York “”Endoluminal surgery offers patients many advantages over traditional surgical options since it is done without incisions through a flexible endoscope and sophisticated devices attached at the tip of the endoscope.”” Dr. Elliot Goodman has been trained at Apollo Endosurgery’s facilities in USA and is here in India to speak about this state of the art technology – introduced for the first time in India by Apollo Hospitals.

The FICCI, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Healthcare Excellence Awards, 2011 conferred the “Lifetime Achievement Award”(FICCI) to Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group. This award felicitates individuals who moved the needle and raised the bar. Dr. Reddy transformed a nation’s health and institutionalized a culture of excellence when he built Apollo Hospitals. It celebrates his never-ending and relentless journey of service to the patient.

Apollo Hospitals Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata bagged awards at the Asian Hospital Management Awards, 2011, ceremony held in Singapore.The Asian Hospital Management Awards recognizes and honors hospitals in Asia that carry out best hospital practices. Now in its 10TH YEAR, it is the accepted hospital management awards program for the Asia Pacific region. Awards are given to hospitals in the region that, in the opinion of the judges and advisers, have implemented or enhanced outstanding and innovative projects, programs, and best practices during the previous year. AHMA saw 750 delegates from 25 countries and the winners were chosen from 381 nominations. The awards to Apollo Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata were given for the following categories: Operations – Customer Service Apollo Hospitals, Chennai – Project “”Excellence in patient experience at Emergency””. Clinical Service Improvement Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad – Project – “”Wake Up Call”” – increasing compliances in clinical assessment. Cost Reduction Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, Kolkata – Project “”CREW ( Cost Reduction and Elimination of Waste).

The FICCI Healthcare Excellence Awards aims at felicitating organizations and individuals for their contribution to the industry by innovating for increased efficiency and improved performance of healthcare delivery at large. Apollo Hospitals Group won the FICCI Healthcare Excellence Award 2011, under the category of “”Addressing Industry Issues”” for the Apollo Clinical Excellence, ACE@25. This category of awards is to recognize innovations that address problems being faced by the Indian healthcare industry such as, taking healthcare to the masses, successful PPP model, CSR activity, reducing the cost of healthcare, enhancing availability of talent through training, etc. The awards were given in a grand ceremony held at Delhi for ‘Innovations leading to improved performance of Healthcare delivery’ by FICCI.